Understanding the impact of blood sugar levels on birth complications in gestational diabetes

The higher a pregnant woman's blood sugar levels when she is first diagnosed with diabetes, the higher her risk of perinatal and postnatal complications, according to research presented at the 26th European Endocrine Congress in Stockholm. That's what it means. For every 5 mg/L above the diagnostic threshold, the risk of a newborn having low blood sugar levels or high birth weight increases by 9% and 6%, and the mother's risk of postnatal diabetes increases by 31%. The results of this study suggest that women at high risk for gestational diabetes need to be further classified to limit complications for both the mother and the newborn.

Gestational diabetes – a condition in which blood sugar or glucose levels increase during a woman's pregnancy – affects approximately 20 million pregnancies worldwide and poses health risks to both mother and baby. For example, a mother is more likely to develop her type 2 diabetes, is especially likely to give birth to a large baby, and has a higher risk of birth injuries and of becoming obese in the future. A woman has gestational diabetes if her fasting (preprandial) blood glucose level is greater than 92 mg/dL during the first trimester or her 2-hour oral postprandial glucose level (OGTT) is greater than 153 mg/dL during her second trimester. is diagnosed. dl.

In the study, researchers at Portugal's Tamega e Sousa Hospital Center compared blood sugar levels in 6,927 pregnant women aged 30 to 37 with one child who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes between 2012 and 2017. and analyzed data on birth complications. Researchers found that for every 5 mg/L increase in blood sugar levels, there was a 9% higher risk of neonatal hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia) and a 6% higher risk of high birth weight (large for gestational age). discovered. The mother is 31% more likely to have high blood levels (hyperglycemia) after birth.

It is not surprising that high blood sugar levels are associated with these adverse outcomes in mothers and newborns, but our study shows that a 5 mg/dL increase in maternal blood sugar levels at the time of initial diagnosis increases the risk of This is the first time that we have shown that the degree of I have gestational diabetes. ”


Dr. Catalina Cidado Rodriguez, Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Cidard Rodríguez further added, “The magnitude of the increased risk can be calculated with our measurements and, in fact, can be used to identify and stratify women who are at higher risk of developing these complications.'' “Maybe,” he continued.

“We now want to assess whether there is any benefit to further stratifying these high-risk women with gestational diabetes. These women need to be monitored more closely and pharmacological This can help reduce complications during childbirth and prevent future diabetes in women.

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