ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the morphological changes of levator hiatus in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)after spontaneous delivery with ultrasonography.Methods A total of 302 pregnant women in the first trimester(6-8 weeks)were prospectively observed,and the parameters of pelvic floor muscle hiatus were measured with ultrasound during the first trimester,also 12 weeks,6 months and 1 year after delivery at resting-state(resting period),anal contraction state(systole period)and Valsalva maneuver(tension period),respectively.Blood glucose was measured at 28 weeks of gestation,GDM was diagnosed,and the pregnant women enrolled were divided into GDM group and non-GDM group.The ultrasonic parameters and postpartum pelvic floor muscle tension were compared between groups.Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlations of pelvic floor muscle tension grade and anal levator hiatus parameters in GDM group.Results Totally 153 pregnant women were enrolled and assigned into GDM group(n=51)and non-GDM group(n=102).Transversal diameter of levator hiatus(LH-TD),anteroposterior diameter of levator hiatus(LH-APD)and levator hiatus area(LHA)in different periods 12 weeks postpartum in both groups were higher than those in early pregnancy(all P＜0.05).Six months and 1 year postpartum,in GDM group,LH-APD and LHA in systole period,also LH-TD,LH-APD and LHA in tension period were higher than those in early pregnancy(all P＜0.05),while in non-GDM group,LH-APD and LHA in tension period were higher than those of early pregnancy(all P＜0.05).One year after delivery,LH-APD and LHA in systolic period,as well as LH-TD and LHA in tension period in GDM group were all higher than those in non-GDM group(all P＜0.05),whereas the proportion of pelvic floor muscle tension of grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ was higher,of grade Ⅳ-Ⅴ was lower in GDM group than those in non-GDM group(P＜0.05).One year after delivery,pelvic floor muscle tone grade in GDM group was negatively correlated with LH-TD,LH-APD and LHA in resting,systole and tension period(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The morphology of levator hiatus changed greatly in GDM patients after spontaneous delivery,and rehabilitation training should be carried out early.