Photo Credit: Elena Pimukova

The following is a summary of “Amniotic fluid glucose concentration as a predictor of fetal trisomy,” published in the October 2024 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology by Konno et al.    

Amniotic fluid glucose concentration may reflect chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 13, trisomy 18, and trisomy 21, offering potential diagnostic insight for pregnant individuals undergoing amniocentesis (a procedure to collect amniotic fluid for testing). 

Researchers conducted a prospective observational study to assess amniotic fluid glucose concentration as a marker of fetal chromosomal abnormalities, including trisomy 13, trisomy 18, and trisomy 21. 

They analyzed data from 224 pregnant individuals who underwent amniocentesis and were divided by gestational age into 2 groups, <22 weeks and ≥22 weeks. Amniotic fluid glucose concentrations were compared between individuals with fetuses having trisomy 13, trisomy 18, or trisomy 21, and those with normal or minor chromosomal abnormalities (P=0.002 in the <22-week group; P=0.039 in the ≥22-week group). 

The results showed that amniotic fluid glucose concentrations were significantly lower in fetuses with trisomy 13, trisomy 18, or trisomy 21 in both gestational age groups. The optimal cut-off for glucose was 46 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in the <22-week group (OR 6.55; 95% CI 1.78–24.1) and 24 mg/dL in the ≥22-week group (OR 8.40; 95% CI 1.83–38.6). 

They concluded that while amniotic fluid glucose concentration does not diagnose trisomy 13, trisomy 18, or trisomy 21, this may guide treatment and facility selection. 

Source: obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jog.16115