| Sub-title | |
| Authors | C Savona Ventura M Chircop A Ellul J Azzopardi L Janulova |
| 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 pregnant women suffering from diabetes and compare these to the remaining obstetric population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Women diagnosed as suffering from diabetes during pregnancy were classified into two groups - pre-existing DM (n = 44), and GDM (defined as a 2-hour post-load blood glucose of >=8.6 mmol/l: n=236). Outcome indicators of these two groups of women were compared to the parameters of the women with a presumed normal carbohydrate metabolism (n = 12260). Statistical analysis was carried out using the Chi-Square test. RESULTS: The incidence of diabetic problems in the Maltese pregnant population is 2.23% of total maternities. Both women with pre-existing DM and GDM women showed themselves to be at a significantly increased risk of developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and to require delivery by caesarean section. GDM women were more likely to require intervention by induction of labour. The delivery in both groups of women was likely to be complicated by shoulder dystocia. The infants born to both pre-existing DM and GDM women were more likely to be macrosomic or preterm and have a low Apgar score at birth. Infants born to pre-existing DM were more likely to be of low birth weight and suffer from respiratory distress. CONCLUSIONS: It would appear that diabetes complicating pregnancy, whether previously existing or simply gestational, remains a high-risk situation that increases maternal and infant morbidity in spite of the modern management options. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
| Pages | - |
| Date | |
| Link to journal | |
| Key words | diabetes, pregnancy, outcome, morbidity, mortality |