Sequelae of unrecognized gestational diabetes

Association of Early-life Trauma With Gestational Diabetes and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Early-life trauma (before age of 18 years) is hypothesized to increase the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes through stress pathways, yet epidemiologic findings are mixed.

METHODS

Sister Study participants (US women aged 35-74 years enrolled 2003-2009) completed an adapted Brief Betrayal Trauma Survey at the first follow-up visit. Lifetime history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP: pregnancy-related high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia/toxemia, or eclampsia) in pregnancies lasting ≥20 weeks was self-reported. We used log-binomial regression to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between early-life trauma (modeled using conventional measures [e.g., any experience, substantive domains, individual types] and latent classes of co-occurring traumas) and GDM or HDP among 34,879 parous women.

RESULTS

Approximately, 4% of participants reported GDM and 11% reported HDP. Relative to no early-life trauma, the RRs for any were 1.1 (95% CI = 1.0, 1.3) for GDM and 1.2 (95% CI = 1.2, 1.3) for HDP. Women reporting physical trauma had the highest risk of GDM and HDP in comparison to other substantive domains. In analyses using latent classes of early-life trauma, high trauma was associated with an elevated risk of both GDM (RR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.5, 2.6) and HDP (RR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.4, 2.0) compared with low trauma.

CONCLUSIONS

Women experiencing high levels of trauma in early life were at higher risk of GDM and HDP, adding to a growing evidence base for this association.

Relationships Between Exposure to Gestational Diabetes Treatment and Neonatal Anthropometry: Evidence from the Born in Bradford (BiB) Cohort

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationships between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treatment and neonatal anthropometry.

METHODS

Covariate-adjusted multivariable linear regression analyses were used in 9907 offspring of the Born in Bradford cohort. GDM treatment type (lifestyle changes advice only, lifestyle changes and insulin or lifestyle changes and metformin) was the exposure, offspring born to mothers without GDM the control, and birth weight, head, mid-arm and abdominal circumference, and subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness the outcomes.

RESULTS

Lower birth weight in offspring exposed to insulin (- 117.2 g (95% CI - 173.8, - 60.7)) and metformin (- 200.3 g (- 328.5, - 72.1)) compared to offspring not exposed to GDM was partly attributed to lower gestational age at birth and greater proportion of Pakistani mothers in the treatment groups. Higher subscapular skinfolds in offspring exposed to treatment compared to those not exposed to GDM was partly attributed to higher maternal glucose concentrations at diagnosis. In fully adjusted analyses, offspring exposed to GDM treatment had lower weight, smaller abdominal circumference and skinfolds at birth than those not exposed to GDM. Metformin exposure was associated with smaller offspring mid-arm circumference (- 0.3 cm (- 0.6, - 0.07)) than insulin exposure in fully adjusted models with no other differences found.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

Offspring exposed to GDM treatment were lighter and smaller at birth than those not exposed to GDM. Metformin-exposed offspring had largely comparable birth anthropometric characteristics to those exposed to insulin.

Significant risk of repeat adverse outcomes in recurrent gestational diabetes pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The risk of adverse outcomes in recurrent GDM pregnancy has not been well documented, particularly in women who have already had an adverse outcome. The aim of this study was to compare the risk of recurrent adverse delivery outcome (ADO) or adverse neonatal outcome (ANO) between consecutive gestational diabetes (GDM) pregnancies.

METHODS

In this retrospective study of 424 pairs of consecutive ("index" and "subsequent") GDM pregnancies, we compared the risk of ADO (instrumental delivery, emergency Caesarean section) and ANO (large for gestational age (LGA and small for gestational age (SGA)) in women with and without a history of adverse outcome in their index pregnancy.

RESULTS

Subsequent pregnancies had higher rates of elective Caesarean (30.4% vs 17.0%, p < 0.001) and lower rates of instrumental delivery (5% vs 13.9%, p < 0.001), emergency Caesarean (7.1% vs 16.3%, p < 0.001) and vaginal delivery (62.3% vs 66.3%, p = 0.01). Index pregnancy adverse outcome was associated with a higher risk of repeat outcome: RR 3.09 (95%CI:1.30,7.34) for instrumental delivery, RR 2.20 (95%CI:1.06,4.61) for emergency Caesarean, RR 4.55 (95%CI:3.03,6.82) for LGA, and RR 5.01 (95%CI:2.73,9.22) for SGA). The greatest risk factor for subsequent LGA (RR 3.13 (95%CI:2.20,4.47)) or SGA (RR 4.71 (95%CI:2.66,8.36)) was having that outcome in the index pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

A history of an adverse outcome is a powerful predictor of the same outcome in the subsequent GDM pregnancy. These high-risk women may warrant more directed management over routine GDM care such as altered glucose targets or increased frequency of ultrasound assessment.

New Zealand women's experiences of managing gestational diabetes through diet: a qualitative study

Background

For women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poor dietary choices can have deleterious consequences for both themselves and their baby. Diet is a well-recognised primary strategy for the management of GDM. Women who develop GDM may receive dietary recommendations from a range of sources that may be inconsistent and are often faced with needing to make several dietary adaptations in a short period of time to achieve glycaemic control. The aim of this study was to explore how women diagnosed with GDM perceive dietary recommendations and how this information influences their dietary decisions during pregnancy and beyond.

Methods

Women diagnosed with GDM before 30 weeks’ gestation were purposively recruited from two GDM clinics in Auckland, New Zealand. Data were generated using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysed to identify themes describing women’s perceptions and experiences of dietary recommendations for the management of GDM.

Results

Eighteen women from a diverse range of sociodemographic backgrounds participated in the study. Three interconnected themes described women’s perceptions of dietary recommendations and experiences in managing their GDM through diet: managing GDM is a balancing act; using the numbers as evidence, and the GDM timeframe. The primary objective of dietary advice was perceived to be to control blood glucose levels and this was central to each theme. Women faced a number of challenges in adhering to dietary recommendations. Their relationships with healthcare professionals played a significant role in their perception of advice and motivation to adhere to recommendations. Many women perceived the need to follow dietary recommendations to be temporary, with few planning to continue dietary adaptations long-term.

Conclusions

The value of empathetic, individually tailored advice was highlighted in this study. A greater emphasis on establishing healthy dietary habits not just during pregnancy but for the long-term health of both mother and baby is needed.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-04297-0.

Unique Biomarker Characteristics in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Identified by LC-MS-Based Metabolic Profiling

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of glucose intolerance disorder that first occurs during women's pregnancy. The main diagnostic method for GDM is based on the midpregnancy oral glucose tolerance test. The rise of metabolomics has expanded the opportunity to better identify early diagnostic biomarkers and explore possible pathogenesis.

METHODS

We collected blood serum from 34 GDM patients and 34 normal controls for a LC-MS-based metabolomics study.

RESULTS

184 metabolites were increased and 86 metabolites were decreased in the positive ion mode, and 65 metabolites were increased and 71 were decreased in the negative ion mode. Also, it was found that the unsaturated fatty acid metabolism was disordered in GDM. Ten metabolites with the most significant differences were selected for follow-up studies. Since the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of a single differential metabolite are not definitive, we combined these metabolites to prepare a ROC curve. We found a set of metabolite combination with the highest sensitivity and specificity, which included eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, citric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, and genistein. The area under the curves (AUC) value of those metabolites was 0.984 between the GDM and control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide a direction for the mechanism of GDM research and demonstrate the feasibility of developing a diagnostic test that can distinguish between GDM and normal controls clearly. Our findings were helpful to develop novel biomarkers for precision or personalized diagnosis for GDM. In addition, we provide a critical insight into the pathological and biological mechanisms for GDM.

Hemoglobin A1c and Early Gestational Diabetes

Background: Screening for diabetes in early pregnancy is recommended for high-risk women, however, the optimal test for the diagnosis of early gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) as a diagnostic test for early GDM compared with two-step testing. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort of women with prior GDM or obesity who had HbA_1c and two-step testing <21 weeks' gestation. Early GDM was diagnosed by 1 hour, 50 g oral glucose challenge test (GCT) ≥135 mg/dL and ≥2 abnormal values on 3 hour, 100 g oral glucose tolerance test or GCT >200 mg/dL. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) evaluated HbA_1c for diagnosis of early GDM. Results: Of 243 women, 14 (5.8%) had early GDM by two-step testing. Median HbA_1c levels were higher among women with GDM versus those without GDM (5.8% vs. 5.3%, p < 0.001). The AUC for HbA_1c compared with two-step testing was 0.80 (95% CI 0.69-0.91). The optimal HbA_1c threshold was 5.6% (64% sensitivity, 84% specificity). Conclusions: HbA_1c is moderately predictive of early GDM compared with two-step testing, and a threshold lower than that used for diabetes diagnosis among nonpregnant adults is justified.

Interventions to prevent women from developing gestational diabetes mellitus: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing, with approximately 15% of pregnant women affected worldwide, varying by country, ethnicity and diagnostic thresholds. There are associated short- and long-term health risks for women and their babies.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to summarise the evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews on the effects of interventions for preventing GDM.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (6 August 2019) with key words 'gestational diabetes' OR 'GDM' to identify reviews pre-specifying GDM as an outcome. We included reviews of interventions in women who were pregnant or planning a pregnancy, irrespective of their GDM risk status. Two overview authors independently assessed eligibility, extracted data and assessed quality of evidence using ROBIS and GRADE tools. We assigned interventions to categories with graphic icons to classify the effectiveness of interventions as: clear evidence of benefit or harm (GRADE moderate- or high-quality evidence with a confidence interval (CI) that did not cross the line of no effect); clear evidence of no effect or equivalence (GRADE moderate- or high-quality evidence with a narrow CI crossing the line of no effect); possible benefit or harm (low-quality evidence with a CI that did not cross the line of no effect or GRADE moderate- or high-quality evidence with a wide CI); or unknown benefit or harm (GRADE low-quality evidence with a wide CI or very low-quality evidence).

MAIN RESULTS

We included 11 Cochrane Reviews (71 trials, 23,154 women) with data on GDM. Nine additional reviews pre-specified GDM as an outcome, but did not identify GDM data in included trials. Ten of the 11 reviews were judged to be at low risk of bias and one review at unclear risk of bias. Interventions assessed included diet, exercise, a combination of diet and exercise, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and management of other health problems in pregnancy. The quality of evidence ranged from high to very low. Diet Unknown benefit or harm: there was unknown benefit or harm of dietary advice versus standard care, on the risk of GDM: risk ratio (RR) 0.60, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.04; 5 trials; 1279 women; very low-quality evidence. There was unknown benefit or harm of a low glycaemic index diet versus a moderate-high glycaemic index diet on the risk of GDM: RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.31; 4 trials; 912 women; low-quality evidence. Exercise Unknown benefit or harm: there was unknown benefit or harm for exercise interventions versus standard antenatal care on the risk of GDM: RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.84; 3 trials; 826 women; low-quality evidence. Diet and exercise combined Possible benefit: combined diet and exercise interventions during pregnancy versus standard care possibly reduced the risk of GDM: RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.01; 19 trials; 6633 women; moderate-quality evidence. Dietary supplements Clear evidence of no effect: omega-3 fatty acid supplementation versus none in pregnancy had no effect on the risk of GDM: RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.26; 12 trials; 5235 women; high-quality evidence. Possible benefit: myo-inositol supplementation during pregnancy versus control possibly reduced the risk of GDM: RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.64; 3 trials; 502 women; low-quality evidence. Possible benefit: vitamin D supplementation versus placebo or control in pregnancy possibly reduced the risk of GDM: RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.97; 4 trials; 446 women; low-quality evidence. Unknown benefit or harm: there was unknown benefit or harm of probiotic with dietary intervention versus placebo with dietary intervention (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.89; 1 trial; 114 women; very low-quality evidence), or probiotic with dietary intervention versus control (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.92; 1 trial; 111 women; very low-quality evidence) on the risk of GDM. There was unknown benefit or harm of vitamin D + calcium supplementation versus placebo (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.84; 1 trial; 54 women; very low-quality evidence) or vitamin D + calcium + other minerals versus calcium + other minerals (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.73; 1 trial; 1298 women; very low-quality evidence) on the risk of GDM. Pharmaceutical Possible benefit: metformin versus placebo given to obese pregnant women possibly reduced the risk of GDM: RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.19; 3 trials; 892 women; moderate-quality evidence. Unknown benefit or harm:eight small trials with low- to very low-quality evidence showed unknown benefit or harm for heparin, aspirin, leukocyte immunisation or IgG given to women with a previous stillbirth on the risk of GDM. Management of other health issues Clear evidence of no effect: universal versus risk based screening of pregnant women for thyroid dysfunction had no effect on the risk of GDM: RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.25; 1 trial; 4516 women; moderate-quality evidence. Unknown benefit or harm: there was unknown benefit or harm of using fractional exhaled nitrogen oxide versus a clinical algorithm to adjust asthma therapy on the risk of GDM: RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.77; 1 trial; 210 women; low-quality evidence. There was unknown benefit or harm of pharmacist led multidisciplinary approach to management of maternal asthma versus standard care on the risk of GDM: RR 5.00, 95% CI 0.25 to 99.82; 1 trial; 58 women; low-quality evidence.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

No interventions to prevent GDM in 11 systematic reviews were of clear benefit or harm. A combination of exercise and diet, supplementation with myo-inositol, supplementation with vitamin D and metformin were of possible benefit in reducing the risk of GDM, but further high-quality evidence is needed. Omega-3-fatty acid supplementation and universal screening for thyroid dysfunction did not alter the risk of GDM. There was insufficient high-quality evidence to establish the effect on the risk of GDM of diet or exercise alone, probiotics, vitamin D with calcium or other vitamins and minerals, interventions in pregnancy after a previous stillbirth, and different asthma management strategies in pregnancy. There is a lack of trials investigating the effect of interventions prior to or between pregnancies on risk of GDM.

Interventions to prevent women developing gestational diabetes mellitus: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Overview). The objectives are as follows:

To summarise the evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews regarding the effects of interventions to prevent women developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Multiple elements related to metabolic markers in the context of gestational diabetes mellitus in meconium

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a typical fetus development niches dysfunction and many toxic/nutrient elements have been associated with its onset and progression. However, the classic epidemiologic approach is regarded as "black-box epidemiology" and fails to elucidate these elements' biological roles on the damaged fetus developmental microenvironment.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to characterize the associations between meconium of multiple elements with GDM for illustrating their interruption effects on in-uterus microenvironment.

METHODS

In this case-control study (n = 137 cases; n = 197 controls), the participants were nested from a cross-sectional retrospection of 1359 recruitments in Xiamen, China. Twenty-one meconium elements were characterized using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). For shifting the present paradigm from a black-box approach to a molecular approach, GDM-related metabolic markers were identified in our previous metabolome report. Based on the meet-in-middle strategy, the associations among the elements, metabolic markers and GDM incidence were assessed by using redundancy analysis and correlation-adjusted correlation; mediation analysis was further used to test the hypothesis that metabolic markers mediate the associations of the elements with GDM incidence.

RESULTS

Eight elements were related with the GDM occurrence in dose-dependent manners, which positively (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Hg, and Sn) or negatively (Ca and V) associated with GDM. Among them, As, Cd, Ba, and Ca significantly contributed to the variation of GDM-related metabolic markers. Additionally, the associations of Cd, Ba, Ca and As with GDM were mediated by the metabolic markers which majorly involved in the lipid metabolism and the Adenosine/l-Arginine/Nitric Oxide (ALANO) pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

The two-side mediations of meconium metabolic markers between the multiple elements and GDM occurrence indicated that maternal exposure to As, Ba, Cd, and Ca may be associated with the dysfunction of fetus development niche through disrupting lipid metabolism and ALANO pathways.

Practice Bulletin No. 173: Fetal Macrosomia

Suspected fetal macrosomia is encountered commonly in obstetric practice. As birth weight increases, the likelihood of labor abnormalities, shoulder dystocia, birth trauma, and permanent injury to the neonate increases. The purpose of this document is to quantify those risks, address the accuracy and limitations of methods for estimating fetal weight, and suggest clinical management for a pregnancy with suspected fetal macrosomia.

Interventions for preventing gestational diabetes mellitus: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows:

To summarise the evidence from Cochrane systematic Reviews regarding the effects of interventions for preventing gestational diabetes mellitus.

HbA1c: A Useful Screening Test for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is the recommended test for its diagnosis. We evaluated the role of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in screening and diagnosis of GDM and its correlation with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In this prospective observational study, OGTT and HbA1c were performed in 500 antenatal women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation; the pregnant women were followed up thereafter. Repeat OGTT and HbA1c were done in women with GDM at 6 weeks postpartum.

RESULTS

Among the 500 women, 45 were diagnosed with GDM, for an incidence of 9%. The mean HbA1c level in women with GDM was 6.2 ± 0.6%, whereas it was 5.4 ± 0.5% in those with normoglycemia. Women with GDM had a higher incidence of pregnancy-related complications compared with normoglycemic women. An HbA1c cutoff of 5.3% had a sensitivity of 95.6% and a specificity of 51.6% for the diagnosis of GDM and would have avoided OGTT in approximately half of antenatal women, while missing 5% of the women. However, those with an abnormal HbA1c will require a confirmatory OGTT, as 50% of normoglycemic women would be misclassified as having GDM by this approach. On repeat testing postpartum, two of 45 women (4.4%) had overt diabetes mellitus, whereas five (11.1%) had impaired glucose tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

Although HbA1c cannot replace OGTT in the diagnosis of GDM, it can be used as a screening test, avoiding OGTT in approximately 50% of women, if a cutoff of 5.3% is used.

Diagnostic thresholds for gestational diabetes and their impact on pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review

AIMS

To assess different diagnostic thresholds for gestational diabetes on outcomes for mothers and their offspring in the absence of treatment for gestational diabetes. This information was used to inform a National Institutes of Health consensus conference on diagnosing gestational diabetes.

METHODS

We searched 15 electronic databases from 1995 to May 2012. Study selection was conducted independently by two reviewers. Randomized controlled trials or cohort studies were eligible if they involved women without known pre-existing diabetes mellitus and who did not undergo treatment for gestational diabetes. One reviewer extracted, and a second reviewer verified, data for accuracy. Two reviewers independently assessed methodological quality.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight studies were included. Three large, methodologically strong studies showed a continuous positive relationship between increasing glucose levels and the incidence of Caesarean section and macrosomia. When data were examined categorically (i.e. women meeting or not meeting specific diagnostic thresholds), women with gestational diabetes across all glucose criteria had significantly more Caesarean sections, shoulder dystocia, macrosomia (except for International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups' criteria) and large for gestational age. Higher glucose thresholds did not consistently demonstrate greater risk for all outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher glucose thresholds did not consistently demonstrate greater risk, possibly because studies did not compare mutually exclusive groups of women. A pragmatic approach for diagnosis of gestational diabetes using Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Study odds ratio 2.0 thresholds warrants further consideration until additional analysis of the data comparing mutually exclusive groups of women is provided and large randomized controlled trials investigating different diagnostic and treatment thresholds are completed.

Association of maternal exposure to childhood abuse with elevated risk for autism in offspring

IMPORTANCE

Adverse perinatal circumstances have been associated with increased risk for autism in offspring. Women exposed to childhood abuse experience more adverse perinatal circumstances than women unexposed, but whether maternal abuse is associated with autism in offspring is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether maternal exposure to childhood abuse is associated with risk for autism in offspring and whether possible increased risk is accounted for by a higher prevalence of adverse perinatal circumstances among abused women, including toxemia, low birth weight, gestational diabetes, previous induced abortion, intimate partner abuse, pregnancy length shorter than 37 weeks, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use, and alcohol use and smoking during pregnancy.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Nurses' Health Study II, a population-based longitudinal cohort of 116 430 women.

PARTICIPANTS

Nurses with data on maternal childhood abuse and child's autism status (97.0% were of white race/ethnicity). Controls were randomly selected from among children of women who did not report autism in offspring (participants included 451 mothers of children with autism and 52 498 mothers of children without autism).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Autism spectrum disorder in offspring, assessed by maternal report and validated with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised in a subsample.

RESULTS

Exposure to abuse was associated with increased risk for autism in children in a monotonically increasing fashion. The highest level of abuse was associated with the greatest prevalence of autism (1.8% vs 0.7% among women not abused, P = .005) and with the greatest risk for autism adjusted for demographic factors (risk ratio, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.3-5.8). All adverse perinatal circumstances except low birth weight were more prevalent among women abused in childhood. Adjusted for perinatal factors, the association of maternal childhood abuse with autism in offspring was slightly attenuated (risk ratio for highest level of abuse, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.9-4.8).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

We identify an intergenerational association between maternal exposure to childhood abuse and risk for autism in the subsequent generation. Adverse perinatal circumstances accounted for only a small portion of this increased risk.

Adverse maternal outcomes associated with fetal macrosomia: what are the risk factors beyond birthweight?

Background

To identify risk factors, beyond fetal weight, associated with adverse maternal outcomes in delivering infants with a birthweight of 4000 g or greater, and to quantify their role in maternal complications.

Methods

All women (n = 1564) with singleton pregnancies who attempted vaginal delivery and delivered infants weighing at least 4000 g, in two French tertiary care centers from 2005 to 2008, were included in our study. The studied outcome was maternal complications defined as composite item including the occurrence of a third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration, or the occurrence of severe postpartum hemorrhage requiring the use of prostaglandins, uterine artery embolization, internal iliac artery ligation or haemostatic hysterectomy, or the occurrence of blood transfusion. Univariate analysis, multivariable logistic regression and estimation of attributable risk were used.

Results

Maternal complications were increased in Asian women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–9.3, Attributable risk (AR): 3%), in prolonged labor (aOR = 1.9 [95% CI; 1.1–3.4], AR = 12%) and in cesarean delivery during labor (aOR = 2.2 [95% CI; 1.3–3.9], AR = 17%). Delivering infants with a birthweight > 4500 g also increased the occurrence of maternal complications (aOR = 2.7 [95% CI; 1.4–5.1]) but with an attributable risk of only 10%. Multiparous women with a previous delivery of a macrosomic infant were at lower risk of maternal complications (aOR = 0.5 [95% CI; 0.2–0.9]).

Conclusion

In women delivering infants with a birthweight of 4000 g or greater, some maternal characteristics as well as labor parameters may worsen maternal outcome beyond the influence of increased fetal weight.

Identification of proteomic biomarkers in maternal plasma in the early second trimester that predict the subsequent development of gestational diabetes

INTRODUCTION

This study is designed to identify proteomic biomarkers that predict the subsequent development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

Maternal blood was obtained prospectively from healthy pregnant women in the early second trimester (16-20 weeks). Twelve women subsequently diagnosed with GDM at 24 to 28 weeks were selected as cases; an equal number of normoglycemic women as controls. Proteomic analysis of the previously stored plasma was performed by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Three peaks (9122 Da, 9412 Da, and 9701 Da) that were increased in cases were characterized as isoforms of apolipoprotein CIII. Another discriminatory peak (17 105 Da) that was decreased in cases was matched to apolipoprotein AII. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed that women who subsequently developed GDM had significantly higher levels of apolipoprotein CIII than controls did. Levels of apolipoprotein AII failed to reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that there already exist biomarkers in the maternal circulation at 16 to 20 weeks in women who subsequently develop GDM.

Treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus: glyburide compared to subcutaneous insulin therapy and associated perinatal outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To examine perinatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus treated with glyburide compared to insulin injections.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who required pharmaceutical therapy and were enrolled in the Sweet Success California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program between 2001 and 2004, a California state-wide program. Women managed with glyburide were compared to women treated with insulin injections. Perinatal outcomes were compared using chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression models; statistical significance was indicated by p < 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Among the 10,682 women with GDM who required medical therapy and met study criteria, 2073 (19.4%) received glyburide and 8609 (80.6%) received subcutaneous insulin injections. Compared to insulin therapy and controlling for confounders, oral hypoglycemic treatment was associated with increased risk of birthweight >4000 g (aOR = 1.29; 95% CI [1.03-1.64]), and admission to the intensive care nursery (aOR = 1.46 [1.07-2.00]).

CONCLUSION

Neonates born to women with gestational diabetes managed on glyburide, and were more likely to be macrosomic and to be admitted to the intensive care unit compared to those treated with insulin injections. These findings should be examined in a large, prospective trial.

Maternal outcome of gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To estimate maternal outcome of treated or untreated gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

French and English publications were searched using PubMed and the Cochrane library.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of GDM includes a high risk population for preeclampsia and Caesarean sections (EL3). The risks are positively correlated with the level of hyperglycaemia in a linear way (EL2). Intensive treatment of mild GDM compared with routine care reduces the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (preeclampsia, gestational hypertension). Moreover, it does not increase the risk of operative vaginal delivery, Caesarean section and postpartum haemorrhage (EL1). Being overweight, obesity and maternal hyperglycaemia are independent risk factors for preeclampsia (EL2). Their association with GDM increases the risk of preeclampsia and Caesarean section compared to diabetic women with a normal body mass index (EL3). The association of several risk factors (such as advanced maternal age, pre-existing chronic hypertension, pre-existing nephropathy, obesity, suboptimal glycaemic control) increases the risk of preeclampsia. In that case, the classic follow-up (blood pressure measurement, proteinuria) should be more frequent than monthly (professional consensus). The risk of Caesarean section is increased by macrosomia, whether suspected prenatally or not, but this increased risk remains whatever the birth weight (EL3). Diagnosis and treatment of GDM do not reduce the risk of severe perineal lesions, operative vaginal delivery and postpartum haemorrhage (EL2). Some psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and alteration of self-perception, can occur upon diagnosis of GDM (EL3). The treatment of GDM appears to reduce the risk of postpartum depression symptoms (EL2).

CONCLUSION

Most of the information published on GDM covers the risks of preeclampsia and Caesarean section; intensive care of GDM reduces these risks. Pregnancy care should be adjusted to the risk factors.

Glycemic index and pregnancy: a systematic literature review

Background/Aim. Dietary glycemic index (GI) has received considerable research interest over the past 25 years although its application to pregnancy outcomes is more recent. This paper critically evaluates the current evidence regarding the effect of dietary GI on maternal and fetal nutrition. Methods. A systematic literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science, from 1980 through September 2010, was conducted. Results. Eight studies were included in the systematic review. Two interventional studies suggest that a low-GI diet can reduce the risk of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants in healthy pregnancies, but one epidemiological study reported an increase in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. Evidence in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), though limited (n = 3), consistently supports the advantages of a low-GI diet. Conclusion. There is insufficient evidence to recommend a low-GI diet during normal pregnancy. In pregnancy complicated by GDM, a low-GI diet may reduce the need for insulin without adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. Until larger-scale intervention trials are completed, a low-GI diet should not replace the current recommended pregnancy diets from government and health agencies. Further research regarding the optimal time to start a low-GI diet for maximum protection against adverse pregnancy outcomes is warranted.

Shoulder Dystocia: Etiology, Common Risk Factors, and Management

Shoulder dystocia and brachial plexus injury occur in 0.5% to 1.5% of all births. Risk factors for both include maternal obesity, excessive prenatal weight gain, maternal diabetes, protracted labor, and fetal macrosomia. These factors are involved in only about 50% of births complicated by shoulder dystocia or brachial plexus injury. Shoulder dystocia has a low recurrence rate (9.8%-16.7%), although history of previous shoulder dystocia is the most reliable predictor of occurrence. Brachial plexus injury is the most common morbidity associated with shoulder dystocia, but 50% of newborns who present with this injury were not subject to shoulder dystocia at birth. Most brachial plexus injuries are transient, although 5% to 22% become permanent. Shoulder dystocia followed by permanent brachial plexus injury or mental impairment is one of the leading causes of malpractice allegations. Prompt assessment and management of shoulder dystocia and preparation to maximize the efficiency of shoulder dystocia maneuvers are critical. Documentation of the appropriate use of maneuvers to relieve shoulder dystocia demonstrates standard of care practice, thereby decreasing the potential for successful malpractice allegations.

Gestational diabetes: risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

We sought to examine the recurrence risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a subsequent pregnancy and determine whether recurrence risk is modified by race/ethnicity.

STUDY DESIGN

We used the Kaiser Permanente Southern California longitudinally linked records (1991-2008) to study women with first 2 (n = 65,132) and first 3 (n = 13,096) singleton pregnancies. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were used to estimate the magnitude of recurrence.

RESULTS

Risks of GDM in the second pregnancy among women with and without previous GDM were 41.3% and 4.2%, respectively (OR, 13.2; 95% confidence interval, 12.0-14.6). The recurrence risk of GDM in the third pregnancy was stronger when women had GDM in both prior pregnancies (OR, 25.9; 95% confidence interval, 17.4-38.4). Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders have higher risks of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

A pregnancy complicated by GDM is at increased risk for subsequent GDM. The magnitude of risk increases with the number of prior episodes of GDM. These recurrence risks also showed heterogeneity by race-ethnicity.

Carpenter-Coustan criteria compared with the national diabetes data group thresholds for gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To examine perinatal outcomes in women who would meet the diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to the Carpenter and Coustan but not by the National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) thresholds.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of women screened for GDM between January 1988 and December 2001. During the study period, only women who were diagnosed with GDM by the NDDG criteria received counseling and treatment. Women diagnosed with GDM according to the Carpenter and Coustan thresholds but not by the NDDG criteria were compared with women without GDM by either criteria. Perinatal outcomes were examined using chi test and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Among the 14,693 women screened for GDM, 753 (5.1%) would have GDM diagnosed by the Carpenter and Coustan criteria and 480 (3.3%) by the NDDG criteria only, giving 273 (1.9%) women as the study group. Compared with women without GDM, women with GDM by the Carpenter and Coustan but not by the NDDG criteria had higher odds of cesarean delivery (OR 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.07), operative vaginal delivery (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.20-2.46), birth weight greater than 4,500 g (OR 4.47, 95% CI 2.26-8.86), and shoulder dystocia (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.03-4.88).

CONCLUSION

Women diagnosed with GDM by the Carpenter and Coustan criteria but not by the NDDG criteria had higher risk of operative deliveries, macrosomia, and shoulder dystocia. We recommend using the Carpenter and Coustan diagnostic thresholds for GDM, because these diagnostic criteria are more sensitive than the NDDG criteria.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

[Shoulder dystocia: a ten-year descriptive study in a level-III maternity unit]

OBJECTIVE

Shoulder dystocia is one of the most dreadful complications of vaginal deliveries. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate risk factors of dystocia, maternal and neonatal complications and recurrent risk factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-six cases of shoulder dystocia occurring between January 1998 and August 2008 in our university hospital were identified. Demographic data, labor management, management of the shoulder dystocia and neonatal outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

The incidence of shoulder dystocia was 0.3%. Multiparity, weight gain greater than 12 kg, and post-term delivery were more present in our study group. McRoberts' manoeuver and symphyseal pressure were first realised. Brachial plexus injuries affected 9% of neonates with skeletal fractures in 7.5% of cases. Maternal morbidity was evaluated at about 8%. Twenty per cent had a recurrent shoulder dystocia.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Shoulder dystocia is an obstetric emergency which requires a prompt management of trained personnel. Despite the difficulty of being able to prevent shoulder dystocia, training the obstetric staff could probably improve management of shoulder dystocia.

Gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes mellitus: perinatal outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between gestational weight gain and perinatal outcome in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of women with nonanomalous singleton pregnancies with GDM enrolled in the Sweet Success California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program between 2001 and 2004. Gestational weight gain, calculated from prepregnancy weight and weight at last prenatal Sweet Success visit, was subgrouped into below, within, and above the Institute of Medicine (IOM) weight-gain guidelines. Perinatal outcomes were examined using chi2 test and multivariable regression analysis with 15-35-lb weight gain as the reference group.

RESULTS

There were 31,074 women meeting study criteria. Compared with women with gestational weight gain within the IOM guidelines, women who gained above the guidelines had higher odds of having large for gestational age neonates (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53-1.93, number needed to harm 10), preterm delivery (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.14-1.48, number needed to harm 32), and primary cesarean delivery (aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.26-1.83, number needed to harm 10). Women who gained below the guidelines had higher odds of having small for gestational age neonates (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.01-1.90) and maintaining diet-controlled GDM (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.34-1.63) and lower odds of having large for gestational age neonates (aOR 0.60, 95% CI 0.52-0.67).

CONCLUSION

Women diagnosed with GDM who had gestational weight gain above the IOM guidelines have higher risk of undesirable outcomes, including preterm delivery, having macrosomic neonates, and cesarean delivery. Women who gained below guidelines are more likely to remain on diet control but have small for gestational age neonates.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Maternal obesity and pregnancy complications: a review

Obesity in women of reproductive age is increasing at an unprecedented rate in western societies. Maternal obesity is associated with an unequivocal increase in maternal and fetal complications of pregnancy. Excessive maternal weight gain in pregnancy also appears to be an independent risk factor, regardless of prepregnancy weight. Few guidelines exist regarding appropriate weight gain in pregnancy in obese women. We review the association of maternal obesity with pregnancy complications. We also suggest that appropriate diet and lifestyle intervention can enable women with severe prepregnancy obesity to safely achieve quite strict targets for limited weight gain in pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes in the United States: temporal trends 1989 through 2004

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to characterize trends in gestational diabetes (GDM) by maternal age, race, and geographic region in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN

The National Hospital Discharge Survey, comprised of births in the United States between 1989 and 2004 (weighted n = 58,922,266), was used to examine trends in GDM, based on an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code of 648.8. We examined temporal trends by comparing GDM rates in the earliest (1989-1990) vs most recent (2003-2004) biennial periods. Relative risks, quantifying racial disparity (black vs white) in GDM, were derived through logistic regression models after adjusting for confounders. These analyses were further stratified by maternal age and geographic region.

RESULTS

Prevalence rates of GDM increased from 1.9% in 1989-1990 to 4.2% in 2003-2004, a relative increase of 122% (95% confidence interval [CI] 120%, 124%). Among whites, GDM increased from 2.2% in 1989-1990 to 4.2% in 2003-2004 (relative increase of 94% [95% CI 91%, 96%]), and this was largely driven by an increase in the 25-34 year age group. In contrast, the largest relative increase in GDM (260% [95% CI 243%, 279%]) among blacks between 1989-1990 (0.6%) and 2003-2004 (2.1%) occurred to women aged younger than 25 years. The black-white disparity in GDM rates widened markedly among women aged younger than 35 years in the 1997-2004 periods. The largest relative increases were seen in the West (182% [95% CI 177%, 187%]) followed by the South and Northeast. The observed increase in GDM rates in the Northeast, Midwest, and South regions most likely is due to increase in GDM prevalence rates among blacks.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the prevalence rate of GDM in the United States has increased dramatically between 1989 and 2004. The temporal increase and the widening black-white disparity in the rate of GDM deserves further investigation.

[Severe shoulder dystocia: study of 14 cases treated by Jacquemier's maneuver]

OBJECTIVE

Shoulder dystocia is a dreadful complication of vaginal deliveries since it can be responsible of brachial plexus palsies and even neonatal deaths. Unlike most studies, we defined shoulder dystocia as the enclosing of fetal shoulders above the superior strait (cavity station of 1cm) and situations being resolved only by delivery of the posterior arm (Jacquemier's maneuver). The purpose of this study was to analyze cases of shoulder dystocia in terms of maternal and neonatal complications and to compare risk factors with those identified in the literature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 14 cases of severe shoulder dystocia (SSD) which occurred at our hospital between January 1995 and January 2007. TSD was diagnosed in the absence of engagement of both fetal shoulders requiring recourse to Jacquemier's maneuver for delivery. Any gestational diabetes, abnormal progression of labour, suspicion or existence of fetal macrosomia, instrumental delivery, and neonatal complications were noted.

RESULTS

The incidence of SSD was around 1 per thousand. Multiparity, weight gain greater than 15kg and gestational diabetes were moderately present in our study group. Only 20% of neonates were macrosomic and 50% had a birth-weight of less than 4000g. In 80% of cases, an instrumental extraction was practised. Brachial plexus injuries affected 20% of neonates, no fracture was observed, one child died following an unresolved SSD.

CONCLUSION

This series shows that the incidence of SSD is rare and difficultly predictable even though identified risk factors exist. However, an instrumental extraction seems frequently associated with SSD and any extraction should take into account the presence of known risk factors. In spite of the severity of our cases of shoulder dystocia, complications found seemed to be similar to those observed in the literature.

Glucose challenge test does not predict gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

It is widely acknowledged that identification and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) results in better maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, the utility of the glucose challenge test (GCT) remains controversial regarding the diagnostic approach and decision making.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis on the database of our Laboratory Information System to retrieve results of GCT and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which were performed on consecutive female outpatients referred by the gynecologists over the last 3 years.

RESULTS

Cumulative results for GCT and OGTT were retrieved for 724 female outpatients and screening test was abnormal in 114 of them. This group was classified in terms of normal glucose tolerance (NGT), one abnormal value for the 100-g-3h OGTT (OAV) and GDM. GDM was diagnosed only in 34 subjects (4.7%). No statistically significant differences were observed in the basal plasma glucose and 1-h GCT values among groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, OGTT values >or=180 mg/dL at 1 hour and OGTT values >or=155 mg/dL at 2 hours, but not GCT values, were independent predictors for GDM (p=0.048, p=0.012 and p<0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of our retrospective analysis on an unselected population are consistent with the hypothesis that GCT is not predictive of GDM and its diagnostic significance remains questionable.

Maternal obesity and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Numerous studies in the U.S. and elsewhere have reported an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among women who are overweight or obese compared with lean or normal-weight women. Despite the number and overall consistency of studies reporting a higher risk of GDM with increasing weight or BMI, the magnitude of the association remains uncertain. This meta-analysis was conducted to better estimate this risk and to explore differences across studies.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We identified studies from three sources: 1) a PubMed search of relevant articles published between January 1980 and January 2006, 2) reference lists of publications selected from the PubMed search, and 3) reference lists of review articles on obesity and maternal outcomes published between January 2000 and January 2006. We used a Bayesian model to perform the meta-analysis and meta-regression. We included cohort-designed studies that reported obesity measures reflecting pregnancy body mass, that had a normal-weight comparison group, and that presented data allowing a quantitative measurement of risk.

RESULTS

Twenty studies were included in the meta-analysis. The unadjusted ORs of developing GDM were 2.14 (95% CI 1.82-2.53), 3.56 (3.05-4.21), and 8.56 (5.07-16.04) among overweight, obese, and severely obese compared with normal-weight pregnant women, respectively. The meta-regression analysis found no evidence that these estimates were affected by selected study characteristics (publication date, study location, parity, type of data collection [retrospective vs. prospective], and prevalence of GDM among normal-weight women).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that high maternal weight is associated with a substantially higher risk of GDM.

Role of patient education level in predicting macrosomia among women with gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of education level in predicting the risk of macrosomia among women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

STUDY DESIGN

Women with gestational diabetes, who were referred to the California Diabetes and Pregnancy Sweet Success Program between June 2001 and December 2002, were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression was used estimate the risk of macrosomia, defined as a birth weight >4000 g.

RESULTS

Compared to college-educated women, high school- and middle school-educated women were 21% (relative risk (RR), 1.21; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.01-1.44) and 35% (RR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.09-1.70) more likely to deliver a macrosomic infant, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Gestational diabetics with a lower level of educational attainment appear to have an increased risk of macrosomia. Future studies are necessary to determine whether this finding reflects a variation in adherence to recommended treatments by education/literacy level, or if it is a surrogate marker for intrinsic, biological differences or differences in lifestyle.

Evaluation of Metabolic Control in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the blood glucose concentrations in a group of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), by the use of a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS).

METHODS

Seven women with diet-controlled GDM (group G1), 5 with diet- and insulin-controlled GDM (group G2), and 7 healthy, pregnant women (group N) were included in the study. The treatment was adjusted on the basis of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). The self-monitoring was performed 4 times a day, with the goals of fasting blood glucose values of <90 mg/dL and postprandial (2 hours after each meal) values of <120 mg/dL. Then patients were submitted to a 72-hour period of use of the CGMS.

RESULTS

In the 3 study groups--N, G1, and G2, respectively--no significant differences were noted in individual study parameters, measured with the CGMS in regard to the following: mean 24-hour glycemia (85, 87, and 91 mg/dL), fasting blood glucose (79, 88, and 82 mg/dL), postprandial glucose (96, 97, and 105 mg/dL), mean glucose level during the night (77, 71, and 75 mg/dL), and area under the glycemia curve (281, 315, and 310). Moreover, no significant difference was found in the total duration of glycemia below 60 mg/dL (317, 300, and 370 minutes) or the duration of glycemia of more than 120 mg/dL (259, 225, and 394 minutes) in group N, G1, and G2, respectively. With use of the CGMS, however, in comparison with SMBG, a wider range of glycemic levels was observed in all 3 study groups: for the healthy, pregnant women, 41 to 194 mg/dL versus 61 to 151 mg/dL; for G1, 40 to 244 mg/dL versus 40 to 180 mg/dL; and for G2, 40 to 173 mg/dL versus 50 to 157 mg/dL.

CONCLUSION

The therapy, based on SMBG levels, when applied to the group of women with GDM, brought the glucose levels under effective control, with mean outcome values similar to those observed in the group of normal pregnant women. Nevertheless, using the CGMS, we detected long, asymptomatic periods of high and low blood glucose levels, both in the patients with GDM and in the unaffected pregnant women. The use of the CGMS for monitoring blood glucose profiles might be beneficial in this group of pregnant women.

What proportion of birth weight is attributable to maternal glucose among infants of diabetic women?

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to determine the proportion of birth weight attributable to glucose concentrations of diabetic mothers.

STUDY DESIGN

Data of diabetic women who used insulin were eligible for analysis if the women had been treated during pregnancy for at least 12 weeks, and had recorded at least 50% of 4 daily glucose checks (fasting and 1-hour postprandial) until the last office visit before delivery. The independent association between maternal glucose values and demographics and birth weight percentiles for gestational age and gender were analyzed by multiple regression methods.

RESULTS

Data of 90 diabetic women were analyzed. Only third-trimester glucose concentrations were associated with birth weight. Prepregnancy body mass index was also selected in the models, including second- and/or third-trimester glucose. Together, these variables explained 18% of the variance in birth weight percentiles.

CONCLUSION

Maternal glycemia during third-trimester and prepregnancy body mass index are independent predictors of birth weight in pregnancies complicated by insulin-requiring gestational or type 2 diabetes.

Management of Multiple Pregnancy: Prenatal Care???Part I

Over the past 20 years, the number and rate of multiple births have dramatically increased in the United States. The rise in multiple births is mainly attributable to the increased use of ovulation-inducing drugs and the newly developed assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization. Multifetal gestation is associated with an increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Multiple births account for an increasing percentage of low-birth-weight infants, preterm births, and infant mortality. In this section, we address the management of the multifetal pregnancy, focusing on the maternal physiology, the diagnosis, the pregnancy outcomes, and the antenatal management of multiple gestation.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completion of this article, the reader should be able to describe the effects of the rising rate of multiple pregnancies on perinatal morbidity and mortality, to recall the complications of diagnosing and treating abnormalities of multiple pregnancies, and to list the many changes that occur in both the mother and the fetuses in multiple pregnancies.

Gestational diabetes: a review of the treatment options

More than three decades since the original published description of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), no consensus exists regarding its implications or management. Targeting fetal macrosomia as the greatest morbidity, treatment strategies for this pregnancy-induced disease of insulin resistance have largely been modeled from therapies proven successful in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Surrounded by a rapidly expanding array of treatment options for insulin-resistant diabetes, potentially legitimate concerns about teratogenicity and fetal metabolic effects have limited clinical trials of insulin analogs and oral antihyperglycemic agents during pregnancy. So far, only insulin lispro and glyburide (glibenclamide) have been tested prospectively in randomized trials of women with GDM. In limited studies, both of these agents have compared favorably with standard insulin regimens, and neither appear to cause any fetal or neonatal harm. Although acknowledged by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), these seminal studies have not yet prompted a recommendation from either organization on how to utilize insulin analogs or oral antihyperglycemic agents in the treatment of GDM. Although they lack an evidence base for many therapeutic strategies for GDM, the current ADA and ACOG guidelines still provide a reasonable set of treatment recommendations.

Gestational diabetes: the consequences of not treating

OBJECTIVE

Untreated gestational diabetes mellitus carries significant risks of perinatal morbidity at all severity levels; treatment will enhance outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

A matched control of 555 gravidas, gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosed after 37 weeks, were compared with 1110 subjects treated for gestational diabetes mellitus and 1110 nondiabetic subjects matched from the same delivery year for obesity, parity, ethnicity, and gestational age at delivery. The nondiabetic subjects and those not treated for gestational diabetes mellitus were matched for prenatal visits.

RESULTS

A composite adverse outcome was 59% for untreated, 18% for treated, and 11% for nondiabetic subjects. A 2- to 4-fold increase in metabolic complications and macrosomia/large for gestational age was found in the untreated group with no difference between nondiabetic and treated subjects. Comparison of maternal size, parity, and disease severity revealed a 2- to 3-fold higher morbidity rate for the untreated groups, compared with the other groups.

CONCLUSION

Untreated gestational diabetes mellitus carries significant risks for perinatal morbidity in all disease severity levels. Timely and effective treatment may substantially improve outcome.

Stress during pregnancy affects general intellectual and language functioning in human toddlers

Prenatal maternal stress has been shown to impair functioning in nonhuman primate offspring. Little is known about the effects of prenatal stress on intellectual and language development in humans because it is difficult to identify sufficiently large samples of pregnant women who have been exposed to an independent stressor. We took advantage of a natural disaster (January 1998 ice storm in Québec, Canada) to determine the effect of the objective severity of pregnant women's stress exposure on general intellectual and language development of their children. Bayley Mental Development Index (MDI) scores and parent-reported language abilities of 58 toddlers of mothers who were exposed to varying levels of prenatal stress were obtained at 2 y of age. The hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that the toddlers' birth weight and age at testing accounted for 12.0% and 14.8% of the variance in the Bayley MDI scores and in productive language abilities, respectively. More importantly, the level of prenatal stress exposure accounted for an additional 11.4% and 12.1% of the variance in the toddlers' Bayley MDI and productive language abilities and uniquely accounted for 17.3% of the variance of their receptive language abilities. The more severe the level of prenatal stress exposure, the poorer the toddlers' abilities. The level of prenatal stress exposure accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in the three dependent variables above and beyond that already accounted for by non-ice storm-related factors. We suspect that high levels of prenatal stress exposure, particularly early in the pregnancy, may negatively affect the brain development of the fetus, reflected in the lower general intellectual and language abilities in the toddlers.

The effect of carbohydrate intolerance on neonatal birth weight in pregnant women without gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

There is still no consensus on screening, threshold levels and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, the importance of a positive 50-g glucose screening test in patients who had a negative 100-g oral glucose tolerance test remains controversial. We investigated the impact of the 50-g glucose screening test results on neonatal outcome in pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies, who had no risk factors according to ACOG criteria.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three hundred eighty-six pregnant women with singleton pregnancies were prospectively screened with 50-g glucose challenge test between 24 and 28 weeks. If the test result was >140 mg/dl, a 100-g 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Patients with a positive screening test, but not diagnosed as gestational diabetes mellitus constituted the study group, and patients with a negative screening test constituted the control group. Cesarean rates, neonatal birth weights and complications were compared between these groups.

RESULTS

The cesarean delivery rates were not statistically different between the study and control groups (8.3% vs. 6.4%, P>0.05). The rates of macrosomic births were 10.0% in the study group, and 6.4% in the control group (P>0.05), but the mean birth weight (3451.67 +/- 355.70 g) in the study group was significantly higher than the mean birth weight (3296.29 +/- 365.14 g) in the control group (P=0.003). Neonatal hypoglycemia and hyperbilirubinemia was also encountered more often in babies of pregnant women with a positive 50-g glucose challenge test but negative 100-g glucose tolerance test.

CONCLUSION

Because of similarities with gestational diabetes mellitus on the basis of perinatal outcomes, the non-diabetic pregnant women with 50-g glucose screen test result over 140 mg/dl but a negative 100-g OGTT should be followed closely.

The effect of glucose levels on fetal birth weight: a study of Chinese gravidas in Tianjin, China

The relationship between maternal glucose intolerance and fetal birth weight remains, to a large extent, unknown in Chinese gravidas. From December 1998 to December 1999, 9471[corrected] women in six urban districts of Tianjin, China, underwent an initial screening using a 50-g, 1-h glucose load at 26-30 gestational weeks. Women with a serum glucose reading >or=7.8 mmol/l, were followed up for a 75-g, 2-h glucose tolerance test, which was interpreted using the 1998 World Health Organization's (WHO) criteria for diabetes. A total of 174 women had gestational diabetes mellitus. Complete data was collected in 170 women. Among them, 56 accepted diabetes management including self-home glucose monitoring, diet, and physical activity advice, and others received no treatment. The comparison group was 302 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Glucose levels at the initial screening (partial R(2)=.0343, P<.0001), maternal weight gain during pregnancy (partial R(2)=.0915, P<.0001), and gestational week at delivery (partial R(2)=.0432, P<.0001) were determinants of fetal birth weight, controlling for maternal age, pregravid BMI, maternal stature, and other confounders. Both gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) status and a positive screening but normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) result were predictors of macrosomia (birth weight >or=4000 g). It concludes that maternal glucose levels correlate with fetal birth weight and a glucose level of 7.8 mmol/l or more at the initial screening is predictive of macrosomia in Chinese gravidas regardless of GDM status.

Maternal metabolic control and perinatal outcome in women with gestational diabetes treated with regular or lispro insulin: comparison with non-diabetic pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

To compare maternal glucose levels and neonatal outcome, achieved in women with gestational diabetes (GDM) receiving either regular insulin or insulin lispro, with those of a control group of non-diabetic pregnant women.

STUDY DESIGN

We enrolled 49 pregnant women with GDM, randomly allocated to the treatment with either insulin lispro (n=25) or regular insulin (n=24), and 50 pregnant women with normal GCT, matched for age, parity, pre-pregnancy weight and BMI, who formed the control group. All the women were caucasian, non-obese, with a singleton pregnancy and delivered term live born infants. Women of both groups were requested to perform a blood glucose profile (consisting of nine determinations: fasting/pre-prandial, 1 and 2h post-prandial) every week from the time of diagnosis to 38 weeks (study subgroups) or every 2 weeks from 28 to 38 weeks' gestation (control group).

RESULTS

Overall pre-prandial blood glucose values in diabetic women were significantly higher than those of controls; at the 1h post-prandial time point, blood glucose values of GDM women receiving insulin lispro were similar to those of controls, whereas in the regular group they were significantly higher. Overall, both the lispro and regular insulin obtained optimal metabolic control at the 2h post-prandial time point, although near-normal blood glucose levels 2h after lunch could be observed only in the lispro group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in neonatal outcome and anthropometric characteristics; however, the rate of infants with a cranial-thoracic circumference (CC/CT) ratio between the 10th and the 25th percentile was significantly higher in the group treated with regular insulin in comparison to the lispro and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Fasting/pre-prandial and 1h post-prandial maternal blood glucose levels in non-diabetic pregnant women fell well below the currently accepted criteria of glycemic normality in diabetic pregnancies. In women with GDM, the use of insulin lispro enabled the attainment of near-normal glucose levels at the 1h post-prandial time point and was associated with normal anthropometric characteristics; the use of regular insulin was not able to blunt the 1h peak post-prandial response to a near-normal extent and resulted in infants with a tendency toward the disproportionate growth. Insulin lispro can be regarded as a valuable option for the treatment of gestational diabetes.

Risk factors for pulmonary edema in triplet pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

Multiple gestations are known to be at increased risk for pulmonary edema. Our objective was to characterize this morbidity in a cohort of triplet pregnancies.

STUDY DESIGN

Charts from triplet pregnancies managed by the Georgetown University Hospital Maternal-Fetal Medicine service were abstracted for demographic information and complications. Cases who developed pulmonary edema were compared with those who did not using Fisher exact test, chi(2) and Student's t-test with p <0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS

Of 66 triplet pregnancies with complete records, 15 (22.7%) were complicated by pulmonary edema. Patients developing this condition were more likely to be receiving magnesium sulfate therapy than those who did not [14/15 (93.3%) vs 32/51 (62.7%) p=0.049]. There was no difference between patients developing pulmonary edema and those who did not in terms of maternal age (mean+/-SD: 34.5+/-6.8 vs 34+/-4.3 years, p=0.8) or gestational age at delivery (33.3+/-2.3 vs 32.8+/-3.5 weeks, p=0.6), but the former group had smaller babies than the latter (1739+/- 369 vs 1891+/-538 g, p=0.04). Among the patients treated with magnesium sulfate, those who developed the more severe form of pulmonary edema were more likely than those who did not to have been treated for pre-eclampsia than preterm labor (6/10 (60%) vs 7/33 (21.2%), p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary edema is a common complication of triplet pregnancy. Patients receiving magnesium sulfate, having pre-eclampsia or fetal growth restriction are at increased risk for pulmonary edema, particularly in its worst clinical presentation.

Arrest of descent in second stage of labour secondary to macrosomia: a case report

BACKGROUND

Fetal macrosomia, defined as birth weight greater than 4000 g, complicates 10% of pregnancies and is a well-documented cause of prolonged second stage of labour, as well as of arrest of descent of the fetal presenting part.

CASE

A multigravida woman with gestational diabetes mellitus was admitted in labour at term, and progressed to full dilatation. The fetal vertex failed to descend beyond -3 station. An emergency Caesarean section was performed and a 6452 g male infant was delivered.

CONCLUSION

Physicians should be aware of the possibility of macrosomia as the cause of failure of descent in the second stage. A heightened state of suspicion should be maintained, particularly in a multigravida woman with a prior macrosomic baby and the presence of other predisposing factors such as gestational diabetes mellitus.

Pregnancy outcome and prepregnancy body mass index in 2459 glucose-tolerant Danish women

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between pregnancy outcome and prepregnancy overweight or obesity in women with a normal glucose tolerance test.

STUDY DESIGN

A historical cohort study of 2459 pregnant women systematically examined for gestational diabetes was performed. Information of oral glucose tolerance test results and clinical outcome were collected from medical records.

RESULTS

The risk of hypertensive complications, cesarean section, induction of labor and macrosomia was significantly increased in both overweight women (body mass index [BMI] 25.0-29.9 kg/m(2)) and obese women (BMI >or= 30.0 kg/m(2)) compared with women who were of normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)). The frequencies of shoulder dystocia, preterm delivery, and infant morbidity other than macrosomia were not significantly associated with maternal BMI.

CONCLUSION

Prepregnancy overweight and obesity is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome in glucose-tolerant women.