| Authors | C Savona Ventura DScMed, FRCOG Marcelle Chircop MD, MRCOG Alan Ellul MD MSc Joseph Azzopardi MD, FRCP L Janulova MD, MSc |
| Abstract | Diabetes in pregnancy is generally associated with a higher morbidity and mortality for both the mother and child. Objective: The study aims to assess the outcome indicators of diabetic pregnant women and compare these to the remaining obstetric population. Research Design and Methods: Women diagnosed as suffering from diabetes prior to their pregnancy were identified (n = 44) and their outcome indicators were compared to the parameters of the women with a presumed normal carbohydrate metabolism (n = 12260). Women diagnosed with gestational DM (defined as a 2-hour post-load blood glucose of >=8.6 mmol/l: n=236) were excluded from the analysis. Results: The incidence of pre-existing diabetic problems in the Maltese pregnant population is 0.35% of total maternities. Women with pre-existing DM showed themselves to be at a significantly increased risk of developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and to require delivery by caesarean section. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 16 Issue 01 |
| Pages | 27 - 30 |
| Date | 01/03/2004 |
| Link to journal | |
| Key words | complications, diabetes, morbidity and mortality, pregnancy outcome |