Ultrasound-Guided Prospective Screening for Spinal Dysraphism in Offspring of Mothers With Pregestational Diabetes: A Pilot Study.

Aim: Determine the utility of prospective spinal ultrasound in infants of mothers with pregestational diabetes (PGDM) for the diagnosis of closed spinal dysraphism (SDs).

Methods: This prospective observational pilot study was completed at a tertiary care center between May 1, 2020 and December 30, 2022. Infants born to mothers with PGDM and with normal spinal physical examinations were included. A total of 25 mother-infant dyads were enrolled in the study and prospectively screened with spinal ultrasound. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier-NCT05033275).

Results: Twenty-five spinal ultrasounds were performed over the course of this study with three (8%) resulting in abnormal findings that required further imaging. Follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging found one case of tethered cord syndrome.

Conclusion: Prospective screening in infants of mothers with PGDM found one case of tethered cord syndrome. This finding suggests that risk stratified screening of mothers with diabetes might be a reasonable approach to care.