Factors associated with stillbirth in women with diabetes

Imeglimin, unlike metformin, does not perturb differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells towards pancreatic β-like cells and rather enhances gain in β cell identity gene sets

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Metformin treatment for hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) beneficially improves maternal glucose metabolism and reduces perinatal complications. However, metformin could impede pancreatic β cell development via impaired mitochondrial function. A new anti-diabetes drug imeglimin, developed based on metformin, improves mitochondrial function. Here we examine the effect of imeglimin on β cell differentiation using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived pancreatic islet-like spheroid (SC-islet) models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human iPSCs are differentiated into SC-islets by three-dimensional culture with and without imeglimin or metformin. Differentiation efficiencies of SC-islets were analyzed by flow cytometry, immunostaining, quantitative PCR, and insulin secretion assay. RNA sequencing and oxygen consumption rate were obtained for further characterization of SC-islets. SC-islets were cultured with proinflammatory cytokines, in part mimicking the uterus environment in HIP.

RESULTS

Metformin perturbed SC-islet differentiation while imeglimin did not alter it. Furthermore, imeglimin enhanced the gene expressions of β cell lineage markers. Maintenance of mitochondrial function and optimization of TGF-β and Wnt signaling were considered potential mechanisms for augmented β cell maturation by imeglimin. In the presence of proinflammatory cytokines, imeglimin ameliorated β cell differentiation impaired by cytokines and metformin.

CONCLUSIONS

Imeglimin does not perturb differentiation of SC-islet cells and rather enhances gain in β cell identity gene sets in contrast to metformin. This may lead to the improvement of in vitro β cell differentiation protocols.

Glucose Control During Labour and Delivery in Type 1 Diabetes - An Update on Current Evidence

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an update on diabetes management during labour and delivery in women with type 1 diabetes with focus on appropriate insulin administration, carbohydrate supply and use of diabetes technology to support safe delivery and neonatal well-being.

RECENT FINDINGS

During active labour and elective cesarean section capillary blood glucose monitoring or continuous glucose monitoring at least hourly is recommended. Infusion with isotonic (5%) glucose can be given with adjustable infusion rate to address maternal carbohydrate requirements and to prevent maternal hypoglycemia. Subcutaneous insulin administration with multiple injections or insulin pump therapy is considered at least as safe and efficient as intravenous administration to obtain tight glycemic targets. Automated insulin delivery via insulin pump can be continued during labour and delivery. Diabetes management during labour and delivery involves intensive glucose monitoring, adequate insulin administration and carbohydrate administration to support safe delivery and neonatal well-being.

Pre-existing Diabetes and Stillbirth or Perinatal Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Despite the well-recognized association between pre-existing diabetes mellitus and stillbirth or perinatal mortality, there remain knowledge gaps about the strength of association across different populations. The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to quantify the association between pre-existing diabetes and stillbirth or perinatal mortality, and secondarily, to identify risk factors predictive of stillbirth or perinatal mortality among those with pre-existing diabetes.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to April 2022.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Cohort studies and randomized controlled trials in English or French that examined the association between pre-existing diabetes and stillbirth or perinatal mortality (as defined by the original authors) or identified risk factors for stillbirth and perinatal mortality in individuals with pre-existing diabetes were included. Data extraction was performed independently and in duplicate with the use of prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Assessment for heterogeneity and risk of bias was performed. Meta-analyses were completed with a random-effects model.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

From 7,777 citations, 91 studies met the inclusion criteria. Pre-existing diabetes was associated with higher odds of stillbirth (37 studies; pooled odds ratio [OR] 3.74, 95% CI, 3.17-4.41, I2 =82.5%) and perinatal mortality (14 studies; pooled OR 3.22, 95% CI, 2.54-4.07, I2 =82.7%). Individuals with type 1 diabetes had lower odds of stillbirth (pooled OR 0.81, 95% CI, 0.68-0.95, I2 =0%) and perinatal mortality (pooled OR 0.73, 95% CI, 0.61-0.87, I2 =0%) compared with those with type 2 diabetes. Prenatal care and prepregnancy diabetes care were significantly associated with lower odds of stillbirth (OR 0.26, 95% CI, 0.11-0.62, I2 =87.0%) and perinatal mortality (OR 0.41, 95% CI, 0.29-0.59, I2 =0%).

CONCLUSION

Pre-existing diabetes confers a more than threefold increased odds of both stillbirth and perinatal mortality. Maternal type 2 diabetes was associated with a higher risk of stillbirth and perinatal mortality compared with maternal type 1 diabetes.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42022303112.

Association of Systemic Inflammatory Indices and Last Trimester APRI Score With Perinatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Pregestational Diabetes-A Prospective Observational Study

AIMS

To investigate whether systemic inflammatory indices and the last trimester APRI score change in PGDM and to evaluate the relationship between these alterations and perinatal outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 240 pregnant women, 120 of whom were pregestational diabetic (40 with T1DM and 80 with T2DM), were analyzed. In each trimester, WBC, NEU, LNF, PLT, NLR, dNLR, PLR, PNR, and SII values, and in the last trimester MON, PMR, SIRI, AST values, and APRI score were recorded and compared between PGDM and control cohorts.

RESULTS

The first trimester WBC, NEU, and LNF values were higher and the PNR values were lower, the second trimester LNF value was higher and the NLR was lower, the third trimester APRI score was higher in the PGDM group. In diabetic pregnant women, the optimal cut-off value of NEU for predicting LBW in the first trimester was 6.965 × 10⁹/L (62.5% sensitivity and 61.6% specificity), while the optimal cut-off value of the last trimester APRI score for predicting preterm delivery was 0.072 (61.9% sensitivity and 61.6% specificity). In predicting NICU, the optimal cut-off value for second trimester NLR was found to be 3.973 (70% sensitivity and 70% specificity) in the T1DM group, while the optimal cut-off values for first and second trimester LNF were 2.395 × 10⁹/L (75% sensitivity and 71.1% specificity) and 2.23 × 10⁹/L (75% sensitivity and 68.4% specificity) in the T2DM group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In routine clinical practice, the first trimester NLR and last trimester APRI score may be used as additional tools for predicting perinatal outcomes in pregnancies affected by PGDM.

Stillbirth in women with Type 1 Diabetes mellitus-still a current topic

PURPOSE

Compared to the general stillbirth rate in Germany for term deliveries of 0.12% the risk in type 1 diabetes mellitus is reported to be up to ten times higher. The reasons for this excess risk of intrauterine demise are still not fully elucidated. Risk factors named in the literature include poor glycemic control before and during pregnancy and the occurrence of ketoacidosis. Additionally there might be a diabetes related type of placental dysfunction leading to organ failure in late pregnancy. Understanding the underlying causes is mandatory to develop strategies to reduce the incidences. The Purpose of this publication is to point out the difficulties in prediction of intrauterine death in pregnant type 1 diabetes patients and thus emphasizing the necessity of constant awareness to all caregivers.

METHODS

We present a case series of four cases of stillbirth that occurred in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus at our tertiary care obstetric unit during a five-year period.

RESULTS

In all four presented cases the underlying cause of intrauterine demise was different and we could not find a common mechanism or risk profile. Furthermore, established monitoring tools did not become peculiar to raise awareness. We compared our cases to published data. Underlying causes of intrauterine death in type 1 diabetes are discussed in the light of the current literature.

CONCLUSIONS

The main risk factors of stillbirth in diabetic pregnancies are high maternal blood glucose levels including pre-conceptional HbA1c and diabetic ketoacidosis. Late acute placental insufficiency are associated with intrauterine death in type 1 diabetes. Despite the elevated risk of near term intrauterine demise there are currently no guidelines on how to monitor pregnancies in type 1 diabetes for fetal distress during the third trimester. Established thresholds for fetal Doppler data indicating fetal distress in normal and growth restricted fetuses may not be applicable for overgrown fetuses. Future research on how to monitor the diabetic fetus needs to be initiated.

A Review of Third-Trimester Complications in Pregnancies Complicated by Diabetes Mellitus

Pregnancies affected by both pregestational and gestational diabetes mellitus carry an increased risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. While the risks associated with diabetes in pregnancy have been well documented and span across all trimesters, maternal and neonatal morbidity have been associated with select third-trimester complications. Further, modifiable risk factors have been identified that can help improve pregnancy outcomes. This review aims to examine the relationship between select third-trimester complications (large for gestational age, intrauterine fetal demise, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, perineal lacerations, shoulder dystocia, and cesarean delivery) and the aforementioned modifiable risk factors, specifically glycemic control, blood pressure control, and gestational weight gain. It also highlights how early optimization of these modifiable risk factors can reduce adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. KEY POINTS: · Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy increases the risk of third-trimester complications.. · Modifiable risk factors exist for these complications.. · Optimizing these modifiable risk factors improves maternal and neonatal outcomes..

Evaluation of a Standardized Obstetrics Insulin Drip Protocol and Order Set

Objective

The prevalence of pregnancies affected by diabetes is increasing, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that 1-2% of pregnant women have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and up to 10% of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes as of 2018. Maternal glycemic management is directly related to fetal and neonatal outcomes, and aberrant maternal hyperglycemia has known negative outcomes. Although most of glycemic management centers on outpatient treatment, evidence exists to support the use of intravenous insulin drips during inpatient admissions. This study aimed to evaluate an intravenous insulin protocol specific to the obstetric (OB) population.

Research Design and Methods

This was a single-center retrospective pre-/post- cohort study of OB patients with diabetes admitted to an academic medical center. Groups were differentiated based on admission date and protocol implementation with a 6-month washout period. Included patients received an intravenous insulin drip around either antenatal corticosteroid administration or during labor and delivery. Those who were within 7 days of receiving a diabetic ketoacidosis diagnosis or who were admitted to an intensive care unit were excluded.

Results

Fifty-nine patients received 69 distinct insulin drip orders. Twelve drips were included in the group admitted before initiation of the insulin drip protocol (pre-group) and 57 in the group admitted after the protocol went into effect (post-group). Time spent within the goal glucose range while on an insulin drip in the pre-group was 1.63% compared with 39.30% in the post-group (P <0.001). Glucose levels <70 mg/dL was 0.00% in the pre-group compared with 3.23% in the post-group (P = 0.045). There were no differences in severe hypoglycemia (glucose <50 mg/dL), hyperglycemia (glucose >110 mg/dL), or neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion

Implementation of a nursing-driven, obstetrics-specific intravenous insulin drip protocol significantly improved maternal glycemic management within a goal glucose range of 70-110 mg/dL during antenatal corticosteroid administration and labor and delivery.

Hydroxychloroquine as an Adjunct Therapy for Diabetes in Pregnancy

This review discusses the pathophysiology of diabetes in pregnancy in relation to the placental function. We review the potential use of hydroxychloroquine in improving pregnancy outcomes affected by diabetes. The review focuses on the mechanism of action of hydroxychloroquine and its potential effects on diabetes. There are several pathways in which hydroxychloroquine mediates its effects: through the inflammasome complex, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, modulatory effects, and antihyperglycemic effects. As a safe drug to be used in pregnancy, it is worth exploring the possible use hydroxychloroquine as an adjunct treatment to the current therapy of diabetes in pregnancy.

Impact on Neonatal Outcomes with Late Preterm and Early Term Delivery in Women with Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Late preterm and early term deliveries are common in pregnancies complicated by diabetes due to higher rates of obstetric complications including increased stillbirth risk. However, early delivery is associated with multiple neonatal adverse outcomes, which may be further increased by maternal diabetes. We examined whether there is an additive effect on adverse neonatal outcomes in the setting of maternal diabetes in the late preterm and early term periods.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study of women with a singleton, nonanomalous pregnancy delivering at a single academic medical center in the late preterm (340/7-366/7 weeks) or early term (370/7-386/7 weeks) period between 2010 and 2019. Women were categorized by diabetes status: no diabetes, type 1 (T1DM), type 2 (T2DM), or gestational diabetes (GDM). Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for risk of both mild and severe composite neonatal outcome with delivery in the late preterm or early term period using pregnancies without diabetes as the referent.

RESULTS

A total of 8,072 pregnancies were included with T1DM, T2DM, and GDM complicating 1.8, 5.6, and 9.9% of pregnancies, respectively. Expected demographic differences were seen among groups including higher rates of non-Hispanic Black race, chronic hypertension, and higher body mass index in women with T2DM. The probability of severe composite adverse neonatal outcome was significantly increased in women with T1DM in the late preterm (aOR: 4.4; CI: 2.4-8.1) and early term (aOR: 1.6; CI: 1.1-2.3) periods, largely driven by the need for mechanical ventilation. The mild composite outcome was increased among all women with diabetes with early term delivery but highest in women with T1DM.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancies complicated by diabetes, particularly T1DM, have higher rates of neonatal adverse outcomes independent of gestational age at delivery, which is an important consideration when late preterm or early term delivery is planned.

KEY POINTS

· Diabetes in pregnancy increases risk of early delivery.. · Adverse neonatal outcomes are higher with diabetes, especially T1DM.. · Adverse neonatal outcomes are independent of gestational age..

Maternal and fetal outcomes in a retrospective cohort of obstetrical patients that used an insulin pump paired with a continuous glucose monitor

OBJECTIVE

To assess maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant pregestational diabetic patients using a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump paired with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 55 patients who delivered within one healthcare system from October 2019 to October 2022 with pregestational diabetes managed using CSII pumps paired with CGM. Maternal blood glucose (BG) data were analyzed for the two-week period preceding delivery. The percentage of time spent at a BG level of less than 140 mg/dL was recorded and compared between patients with and without obstetric and neonatal morbidities.

RESULTS

Patients who delivered with severe preeclampsia (S. PreE) had a significantly lower mean percentage of time spent at BG < 140 mg/dL than those who did not (S. PreE 15/55, 63.1% ± 19.0 vs. 40/55, 73.6% ± 13.8; p = 0.03). Mothers who had a preterm birth (PTB) had a significantly lower mean percentage of time spent at BG < 140 mg/dL than those who delivered at term (PTB 35/55, 66.4% ± 16.4 vs 20/55, 78.3% ± 11.9; p = 0.006). The mean percentage of time spent at a BG < 140 mg/dL among mothers of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was significantly lower than those without RDS (RDS present 13/55, 59.7% ± 20.4 vs 42/55, 74.1% ± 12.7; p = 0.003). There was a significant correlation between a greater neonatal birth weight percentile and worse time spent at BG < 140 mg/dL (r = - 0.31; p = 0.02). No other significant differences were observed between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Improved blood glucose levels in pregestational diabetic patients using a CSII pump and CGM is associated with reduced maternal and neonatal morbidity as well as lower birth weight percentile neonates. Future studies are needed to clarify how much time each day a patient needs to spend below a given blood sugar, how long this blood glucose should be maintained, and what specific blood glucose target should be selected.

Management of type 2 diabetes in pregnancy: a narrative review

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) at reproductive age is rising. Women with T2DM have a similarly high risk for pregnancy complications as pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. To reduce adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, such as preeclampsia and preterm delivery, a multi-target approach is necessary. Tight glycemic control together with appropriate gestational weight gain, lifestyle measures, and if necessary, antihypertensive treatment and low-dose aspirin is advised. This narrative review discusses the latest evidence on preconception care, management of diabetes-related complications, lifestyle counselling, recommendations on gestational weight gain, pharmacologic treatment and early postpartum management of T2DM.

Clinical analysis of diabetes in pregnancy with stillbirth

We analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients with diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) associated with stillbirth and explored strategies to reduce its incidence. We retrospectively analyzed 71 stillbirths associated with DIP (group A) and 150 normal pregnancies (group B) during 2009 to 2018. The incidence of the following was higher in group A (P < .05): hypertensive disorders (38.03% vs 6.00%), placenta previa (14.08% vs 2.67%), placental abruption (5.63% vs 0.67%), fetal malformation (8.45% vs 0.67%), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 7.0 mmol/L (46.48% vs 0.67%), 2-h postprandial plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/L (57.75% vs 6.00%), HbA1c ≥ 6.5% (63.38% vs 6.00%), and polyhydramnios (11.27% vs 4.67). The incidence of oligohydramnios (4.23% vs 6.67%) was lower in group A than in group B (P < .05). According to the gestational age at the time of stillbirth, Group-A cases were subgrouped into miscarriages (20-27+6 weeks), premature deliveries (28-36+6 weeks), and full-term deliveries (≥37 weeks). Age, parity, and DIP type did not differ among the subgroups (P > .05). Among patients with DIP, antenatal FPG, 2-h postprandial plasma glucose, and HbA1c were significantly associated with stillbirth (P < .05). Stillbirth was first detected at 22 weeks and typically occurred at 28-36+6 weeks. DIP was associated with a higher incidence of stillbirth, and FPG, 2-h postprandial plasma glucose, and HbA1c were potential indicators of stillbirth in DIP. Age (odds ratio [OR]: 2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67-2.74), gestational hypertension (OR: 3.44, 95% CI: 2.21-4.67), body mass index (OR: 2.86, 95% CI: 1.95-3.76), preeclampsia (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.45-3.12), and diabetic ketoacidosis (OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.22-6.76) were positively correlated with the occurrence of stillbirth in DIP. Controlling perinatal plasma glucose, accurately detecting and managing comorbidities/complications, and timely termination of pregnancy can reduce the incidence of stillbirths associated with DIP.

Congenital malformations among offspring of women with type 1 diabetes who use insulin pumps: a prospective cohort study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion by insulin pump is often superior in improving glycaemic control compared with conventional multiple daily insulin injection (MDI). However, whether pump treatment leads to improved pregnancy outcomes in terms of congenital malformations and perinatal death remains unknown. The present aim was to evaluate the risk of malformations and perinatal and neonatal death in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes treated with pump or MDI.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective multinational cohort of 2088 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes in a real-world setting who were treated by pump (n=750) or MDI (n=1338). ORs for offspring with congenital malformations or perinatal or neonatal death were calculated using crude data and by logistic regression on propensity score-matched data.

RESULTS

At enrolment (gestational week 8; 95% CI 4, 14), pump users had a higher educational level (university degree: 37.3% vs 25.1%; p<0.001) and better glycaemic control (mean HbA1c: 51±10 mmol/mol [6.8±0.9%] vs 54±14 mmol/mol [7.1±1.3%], p<0.001) compared with MDI users. Moreover, a greater proportion of pump users had an HbA1c level below 75 mmol/mol (9%) (97.6% vs 91.9%, p<0.001), and more often reported taking folic acid supplementation (86.3% vs 74.8%; p<0.001) compared with MDI users. All clinically important potential confounders were balanced after propensity score matching, and HbA1c remained lower in pump users. The proportion of fetuses with at least one malformation was 13.5% in pump users vs 11.2% in MDI users (crude OR 1.23; 95% CI 0.94, 1.61; p=0.13; propensity score-matched (adjusted) OR 1.11; 95% CI 0.81, 1.52; p=0.52). The proportion of fetuses with at least one major malformation was 2.8% in pump users vs 3.1% in MDI users (crude OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.52, 1.51; p=0.66; adjusted OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.42, 1.45; p=0.43), and the proportions of fetuses carrying one or more minor malformations (but no major malformations) were 10.7% vs 8.1% (crude OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.00, 1.84; p=0.05; adjusted OR 1.23; 95% CI 0.87, 1.75; p=0.25). The proportions of perinatal and neonatal death were 1.6% vs 1.3% (crude OR 1.23; 95% CI 0.57, 2.67; p=0.59; adjusted OR 2.02; 95% CI 0.69, 5.93; p=0.20) and 0.3% vs 0.3% (n=2 vs n=4, p=not applicable), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATIONS

Insulin pump treatment was not associated with a lower risk of congenital malformations, despite better glycaemic control in early pregnancy compared with MDI. Further studies exploring the efficacy and safety of pump treatment during pregnancy are needed.

Hyperglycaemia, pregnancy outcomes and maternal metabolic disease risk during pregnancy and lactation in a lean gestational diabetes mouse model

Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP) is a pregnancy complication characterized by mild to moderate hyperglycaemia that negatively impacts short- and long-term health of mother and child. However, relationships between severity and timing of pregnancy hyperglycaemia and postpartum outcomes have not been systemically investigated. We investigated the impact of hyperglycaemia developing during pregnancy (gestational diabetes mellitus, GDM) or already present pre-mating (pre-gestational diabetes mellitus, PDM) on maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. GDM and PDM were induced in C57BL/6NTac mice by combined 60% high fat diet (HF) and low dose streptozotocin (STZ). Animals were screened for PDM prior to mating, and all underwent an oral glucose tolerance test on gestational day (GD)15. Tissues were collected at GD18 or at postnatal day (PN)15. Among HFSTZ-treated dams, 34% developed PDM and 66% developed GDM, characterized by impaired glucose-induced insulin release and inadequate suppression of endogenous glucose production. No increased adiposity or overt insulin resistance was observed. Furthermore, markers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were significantly increased in PDM at GD18 and were positively correlated with basal glucose levels at GD18 in GDM dams. By PN15, NAFLD markers were also increased in GDM dams. Only PDM affected pregnancy outcomes such as litter size. Our findings indicate that GDM and PDM, resulting in disturbances of maternal glucose homeostasis, increase the risk of postpartum NAFLD development, related to the onset and severity of pregnancy hyperglycaemia. These findings signal a need for earlier monitoring of maternal glycaemia and more rigorous follow-up of maternal health after GDM and PDM pregnancy in humans. KEY POINTS: We studied the impact of high-fat diet/streptozotocin induced hyperglycaemia in pregnancy in mice and found that this impaired glucose tolerance and insulin release. Litter size and embryo survival were compromised by pre-gestational, but not by gestational, diabetes. Despite postpartum recovery from hyperglycaemia in a majority of dams, liver disease markers were further elevated by postnatal day 15. Maternal liver disease markers were associated with the severity of hyperglycaemia at gestational day 18. The association between hyperglycaemic exposure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease signals a need for more rigorous monitoring and follow-up of maternal glycaemia and health in diabetic pregnancy in humans.

Pre-pregnancy health of women with pre-existing diabetes or previous gestational diabetes: Analysis of pregnancy risk factors and behavioural data from a digital tool

AIMS

To examine health behaviours and risk factors in women with pre-existing diabetes or previous gestational diabetes mellitus who are planning pregnancy.

METHODS

Health behaviour, risk factor and demographic data obtained from a digital pregnancy planning advisory tool (Tommy's charity UK) were analysed. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, stratified by diabetes type.

RESULTS

Data from 84,359 women, including 668 with type 1 diabetes, 707 with type 2 diabetes and 1785 with previous gestational diabetes obtained over a 12-month period (September 2019-September 2020) were analysed. 65%, 95%CI (61,68%) of women with type 2 diabetes and 46%, 95%CI (43,48%) with previous gestational diabetes were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2 ), compared with 26%, 95%CI (26,26%) without diabetes. Use of folic acid supplements was low; 41%, 95%CI (40,41%) of women without diabetes and 42%, 95%CI (40,45%) with previous gestational diabetes reported taking folic acid (any dose) while 47%, 95%CI (43.50%) women with type 1 diabetes and 44%, 95%CI (40,47%) women with type 2 diabetes respectively reported taking the recommended dose (5 mg). More women with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes reported smoking (20%, 95%CI [17,23%] and 23%, 95%CI [20,26%] respectively) and taking illicit/recreational drugs (7%, 95%CI [6,10%] and 9%, 95% CI [7,11%]) compared to women without diabetes (smoking 17%, 95% CI [16,17%], drug use 5%, 95%CI [5,5%]). Alcohol consumption, low levels of physical activity and of fruit and vegetable intake were also evident.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the potential of online pregnancy planning advisory tools to reach high-risk women and emphasises the need to improve pre-pregnancy care for women with pre-existing diabetes and previous gestational diabetes, many of whom are actively seeking advice. It is also the first to describe pre-pregnancy health behaviours in women with previous gestational diabetes.

Missed antenatal diabetes care appointments and neonatal outcomes for pregnancies with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

There is limited information regarding the association between missed appointments and neonatal outcomes for diabetes in pregnancy.

STUDY METHODS

This retrospective live birth cohort included pregnant women with Type 1 or 2 diabetes who attended specialized clinics from 2008 to 2020. The association between at least one missed antenatal diabetes appointments and outcomes were assessed using logistic regression and reported as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) (95% confidence interval). Mediation analyses were conducted to examine if above target HbA1c mediated these relationships.

RESULTS

The cohort included 407 and 902 women with Type 1 and 2 diabetes, respectively, of whom 25.1% and 34.5% missed at least one appointment. Women with Type 1 diabetes who missed an appointment were more likely to have a caesarean section (aOR 1.95 [1.15, 3.31]) and their babies more likely to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (aOR 2.25 [1.35, 3.75]). Women with Type 2 diabetes who missed an appointment were more likely to have a large-for-gestational-age infant (aOR 1.61 [1.13, 2.28]), and an extreme large-for-gestational-age infant (aOR 1.69 [1.02, 2.81]) compared with women who did not miss appointments. Above target HbA1c mediated the relationship between missed appointments and caesarean delivery in Type 1 diabetes and large-for-gestational age and extreme large-for-gestational age in Type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSION

In individuals with Type 1 and 2 diabetes, there are differences in neonatal outcomes between those who missed an appointment compared to those who did not. It remains unclear if missed diabetes appointments are causative or a marker of other health behaviours or risk factors leading to neonatal morbidity.

Cesarean delivery rates and indications in pregnancies complicated by diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Rates of pregestational (PGDM) and gestational diabetes (GDM), and their associated pregnancy complications, are rising. Pregnancies complicated by diabetes have increased cesarean delivery (CD) rates; however, there are limited data regarding the current rates of, and contributing factors to, these deliveries. The Robson Ten Group Classification System (TGCS) is a clinically relevant, standardized framework that can be used to evaluate and analyze cesarean rates. The objective of this study was to evaluate rates of, and indications for, intrapartum, unplanned CD among pregnancies complicated by diabetes, compared to normoglycemic (NG) pregnancies, in a large United States birth cohort.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used chart-abstracted data on births between 24 and 42 weeks' gestation at 17 hospitals that contributed to the Obstetrical Care Outcome Assessment Program database between 01/2016 and 03/2019. The CD rate for NG pregnancies, and pregnancies complicated by gestational and PGDM was calculated and compared using the Robson TGCS. The indications for intrapartum CD in patients with term, singleton, vertex gestations without a prior cesarean were then analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to compare the cesarean rate and indications for CD, between the diabetic groups and the NG group. Results were adjusted for maternal age, BMI, neonatal birth weight, and insurance status, as well as clustering by hospital.

RESULTS

A total of 86,381 pregnant people were included in the study cohort. Of these 76,272 (88.3%) were NG, 8591 (9.9%) had GDM, and 1518 (1.8%) had PGDM. Compared to NG patients, overall cesarean rates were higher in patients with GDM (40.3% vs. 29.7%; aOR 1.25, 95%CI 1.18-1.31) and PGDM (60.0% vs. 29.7%; aOR 2.53, 95%CI 2.04-3.13). This finding remained true when the cohort was restricted to term, singleton, vertex laboring patients without a prior cesarean; compared to NG patients, the cesarean rate was higher in patients with GDM (17.4% vs. 12.2%, aOR 1.37, 95%CI 1.29-1.45) and PGDM (26.0% vs. 12.2%, aOR 2.55, 95%CI 2.00-3.25). The cesarean rate for fetal indications was similar in the GDM (5.7%) and NG (4.4%) groups, while those patients with PGDM had a significantly higher rate (10.4%; aOR 2.01, 95%CI 1.43-2.83). Similarly, the rate of cesarean for labor dystocia in patients with PGDM was significantly higher than in NG patients (16.9% vs. 7.0%, and aOR 2.28, 95%CI 1.66-3.13) while patients with GDM had an intermediate rate (10.6% vs. 7.0%, aOR 1.49, 95%CI 1.40-1.57).

CONCLUSIONS

The CD rate is significantly higher in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, particularly pregestational, compared to NG pregnancies. Despite controlling for maternal factors and birth weight, pregnancies complicated by diabetes are more likely to undergo an unplanned intrapartum cesarean secondary to labor dystocia than their NG counterparts, but only pregnancies complicated by PGDM have an increased risk of cesarean for fetal indications. More research is needed to understand whether this higher cesarean rate is due to factors intrinsic to diabetes in laboring patients or is due to a difference in the way clinicians manage diabetics in labor.

Current practice, attitude and views of providing pregnancy care for women with type 1 diabetes in China: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

Data are sparse on healthcare needs related to pregnancy among Chinese women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or the gap between the needs and healthcare provision in China. We aimed to identify their needs and the gaps in pregnancy care provision.

DESIGN

This is a qualitative, face-to-face, one-to-one in-depth interview study. We recruited our participants using a purposive sampling strategy. Semistructural outlines were used to guide the interviews. The interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic framework method with NVivo V.10.0.

SETTING

Guangdong Province in China.

PARTICIPANTS

This study involved three key stakeholders of pregnancy care for women with T1D: 29 women with T1D of childbearing age (aged 18-50 years), 16 family members (husbands, parents and parents-in-law of women with T1D) and 35 relevant healthcare providers (HCPs).

RESULTS

We found that women with T1D and the family members had a more pessimistic attitude towards pregnancy outcomes, which was different from the more positive view of HCPs. However, all three stakeholders shared the following perspectives regarding pregnancy-related care for women with T1D: (1) lack of knowledge and access to education, (2) lack of multidisciplinary cooperation, (3) education should be started earlier in adulthood, (3) positive role of peer support, and (4) hope for future training of HCPs for relevant knowledge and skills specified for T1D and pregnancy with T1D.

CONCLUSIONS

An immense gap was identified between the needs of women with T1D regarding pregnancy-related care and current care provision in China. These findings suggest that education be provided to patients and HCPs, and the role of professional and multidisciplinary support should be enhanced to optimise pregnancy care for women with T1D in China.

Cohort profile: the Scottish Diabetes Research Network national diabetes cohort - a population-based cohort of people with diabetes in Scotland

PURPOSE

The Scottish Diabetes Research Network (SDRN)-diabetes research platform was established to combine disparate electronic health record data into research-ready linked datasets for diabetes research in Scotland. The resultant cohort, 'The SDRN-National Diabetes Dataset (SDRN-NDS)', has many uses, for example, understanding healthcare burden and socioeconomic trends in disease incidence and prevalence, observational pharmacoepidemiology studies and building prediction tools to support clinical decision making.

PARTICIPANTS

We estimate that >99% of those diagnosed with diabetes nationwide are captured into the research platform. Between 2006 and mid-2020, the cohort comprised 472 648 people alive with diabetes at any point in whom there were 4 million person-years of follow-up. Of the cohort, 88.1% had type 2 diabetes, 8.8% type 1 diabetes and 3.1% had other types (eg, secondary diabetes). Data are captured from all key clinical encounters for diabetes-related care, including diabetes clinic, primary care and podiatry and comprise clinical history and measurements with linkage to blood results, microbiology, prescribed and dispensed drug and devices, retinopathy screening, outpatient, day case and inpatient episodes, birth outcomes, cancer registry, renal registry and causes of death.

FINDINGS TO DATE

There have been >50 publications using the SDRN-NDS. Examples of recent key findings include analysis of the incidence and relative risks for COVID-19 infection, drug safety of insulin glargine and SGLT2 inhibitors, life expectancy estimates, evaluation of the impact of flash monitors on glycaemic control and diabetic ketoacidosis and time trend analysis showing that diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains a major cause of death under age 50 years. The findings have been used to guide national diabetes strategy and influence national and international guidelines.

FUTURE PLANS

The comprehensive SDRN-NDS will continue to be used in future studies of diabetes epidemiology in the Scottish population. It will continue to be updated at least annually, with new data sources linked as they become available.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies with type 2 diabetes in First Nation and other Manitoban people: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

First Nation people living in Canada experience a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in pregnancy. In this study, we aimed to describe maternal and neonatal outcomes in First Nation and all other females with type 2 diabetes living in Manitoba, Canada.

METHODS

This was a population-level retrospective cohort study using linked administrative data from Manitoba (2012-2017). We compared First Nation females with type 2 diabetes with all other Manitoban females with type 2 diabetes, using relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

A total of 2181 females with type 2 diabetes were included, and 1218 (55.8%) were First Nation. First Nation females with type 2 diabetes were significantly more likely to experience stillbirth (RR 2.14, 95% CI 1.11-4.13) and perinatal death (RR 2.39, 95% CI 1.37-4.17) than all other Manitoban females with type 2 diabetes. Offspring of First Nation females with type 2 diabetes had a higher risk of most neonatal complications than offspring of all other Manitoban females with type 2 diabetes, including a higher risk of congenital malformations (RR 1.97, 95% CI 1.30-2.99), but First Nation people did not have a higher risk of most maternal complications.

INTERPRETATION

First Nation pregnant individuals living with type 2 diabetes experienced a higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes than all other Manitoban females with type 2 diabetes. Additional studies are needed to identify both high-risk and protective factors for pregnancy complications in First Nation people living with type 2 diabetes in pregnancy.

Magnitude and associated factors of stillbirth among women who gave birth at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, eastern Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION

According to WHO, there are nearly 2 million stillbirths every year, one every 16 seconds. The objective of our study was to assess the frequency and associated factors of stillbirth among women who gave birth at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, eastern Ethiopia, 2021.

METHODS

An institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study of medical records was conducted among 336 women who gave birth from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020. Maternal medical records were selected by systematic random sampling technique and a pre-tested checklist was used to collect data. Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS-version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with stillbirth. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals are reported.

RESULTS

The frequency of stillbirth was 12.5% (95% CI: 8.1–14.6). Preterm delivery (AOR=8.10; 95% CI: 3.01–21.79), non-booking for antenatal care (AOR=2.8; 95% CI: 1.14–6.88), antepartum hemorrhage (AOR=3.16; 95% CI: 1.10–9.04), obstructed labor (AOR=2.56; 95% CI: 1.85–7.93) and eclampsia (AOR=2.84; 95% CI: 1.45–6.98) were found to be statistically significantly associated with stillbirth.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of stillbirth in this study was high. Prematurity, non-booking for antenatal care, ante-partum hemorrhage, obstructed labor and eclampsia were independently associated for stillbirth. Therefore, we recommend that the health professionals should better work on prevention of preterm birth, active emergency obstetrical and neonatal care by boosting focused antenatal care follow-up with health education on danger signs.

Pregnancy-Associated Diabetes Mellitus and Stillbirths by Race and Ethnicity among Hospitalized Pregnant Women in the United States

OBJECTIVES

Racial disparities in preexisting diabetes mellitus (PDM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remain largely unexplored. We examined national PDM and GDM prevalence trends by race/ethnicity and the association between these conditions and fetal death.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 69,539,875 pregnancy-related hospitalizations from 2002 to 2017 including 674,040 women with PDM (1.0%) and 2,960,797 (4.3%) with GDM from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample Survey. Joinpoint regression was used to evaluate trends in prevalence. Survey logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between exposures (PDM and GDM) and outcome.

RESULTS

Overall, the average annual increase in prevalence was 5.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.2-6.2) for GDM and 1.0% (95% CI -0.1 to 2.0) for PDM, during the study period. Hispanic (average annual percentage change 5.3, 95% CI 3.6 - 7.1) and non-Hispanic Black (average annual percentage change 0.9, 95% CI 0.1 - 1.7) women had the highest average annual percentage increase in the prevalence of GDM and PDM, respectively. After adjustment, the odds of stillbirth were highest for Hispanic women with PDM (odds ratio 2.41, 95% CI 2.23-2.60) and decreased for women with GDM (odds ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.50-0.53), irrespective of race/ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

PDM and GDM prevalence is increasing in the United States, with the highest average annual percentage changes seen among minority women. Furthermore, the reasons for the variation in the occurrence of stillbirths among mothers with PDM and GDM by race/ethnicity are not clear and warrant additional research.

Effect of Different Types of Diagnostic Criteria for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Adverse Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression

BACKGROUND

Evidence supporting various diagnostic criteria for diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are consensus-based, needs for additional evidence related to outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this systematic-review and meta-analysis was to assess the impact of different GDM diagnostic-criteria on the risk of adverse-neonatal-outcomes.

METHODS

Electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Sciences were searched to retrieve English original, population-based studies with the universal GDM screening approach, up to January-2020. GDM diagnostic criteria were classified in seven groups and International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) was considered as reference one. We used the Mantel-Haenszel method to calculate the pooled odds of events. The possibility of publication bias was examined by Begg's test.

RESULTS

A total of 55 population-based studies consisting of 1,604,391 pregnant women with GDM and 7,770,855 non-GDM counterparts were included. Results showed that in all diagnostic-criteria subgroups, the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes including macrosomia, hyperbilirubinemia, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal hypoglycemia, neonatal intensive care unit admission, preterm birth, and birth-trauma were significantly higher than the non-GDM counterparts were significantly higher than non-GDM counterparts. Meta-regression analysis revealed that the magnitude of neonatal risks in all diagnostic-criteria subgroups are similar.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that the risk of adverse-neonatal-outcome increased among women with GDM, but the magnitude of risk was not different among those women who were diagnosed through more or less intensive strategies. These findings may help health-care-providers and policy-makers to select the most cost-effective approach for the screening of GDM among pregnant women.

Pattern of contraceptive use among reproductive-aged women with diabetes and/or hypertension: findings from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension is increasing among reproductive-aged women in Bangladesh. However, the pattern of contraceptive use among this population remains unknown. We, therefore, explored the pattern of contraceptive use among reproductive-aged women with diabetes and/or hypertension in Bangladesh.

METHODS

We extracted and analysed data of 3,947 women from the 2017/18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Women's pattern of contraceptive use was our outcome variable. We first classified the contraceptive using status as no method use, traditional method use (periodic abstinence, withdrawal, other traditional) and modern method use (pill, intra-uterine device, injections, male condom, female sterilization, male sterilization). We later classified these as (i) no contraceptive use vs any contraceptive use, (ii) traditional method or no use vs modern method use, (iii) traditional method vs modern method use. The explanatory variables were diagnosis of diabetes only, hypertension only or both diabetes and hypertension. The multilevel Poisson regression with robust variance was used to explore the associations.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of contraceptive use was 68.0% (95% CI 66.3-69.7). The corresponding prevalences were 69.4% (95% CI 61.8-76.1) in women with diabetes only, 67.3% (95% CI 63.5-70.9) with hypertension only, and 62.0% (95% CI 52.8-70.4) in women having both diabetes and hypertension. The prevalence of modern methods of contraceptive use was lower (46.4%, 95% CI 37.4-55.6) and traditional methods use was higher (16.6%, 95% CI 13.8-16.8) in women who had both diabetes and hypertension than in women who did not have these conditions. The fully adjusted regression model showed that the prevalence of traditional method use was 31% (Prevalence ratio: 1.31, 95% CI 1.02-2.01) higher in women having both diabetes and hypertension compared with their counterparts who had none of these conditions.

CONCLUSION

In Bangladesh, women with both diabetes and hypertension were more likely to use traditional contraception methods. These women are likely to experience increased risks of unwanted pregnancies and associated adverse maternal and child health outcomes. Targeted policies and programs should be undertaken to promote modern contraceptive use among women living with both chronic conditions.

The importance of nutrition in pregnancy and lactation: lifelong consequences

Most women in the United States do not meet the recommendations for healthful nutrition and weight before and during pregnancy. Women and providers often ask what a healthy diet for a pregnant woman should look like. The message should be “eat better, not more.” This can be achieved by basing diet on a variety of nutrient-dense, whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, healthy fats with omega-3 fatty acids that include nuts and seeds, and fish, in place of poorer quality highly processed foods. Such a diet embodies nutritional density and is less likely to be accompanied by excessive energy intake than the standard American diet consisting of increased intakes of processed foods, fatty red meat, and sweetened foods and beverages. Women who report “prudent” or “health-conscious” eating patterns before and/or during pregnancy may have fewer pregnancy complications and adverse child health outcomes. Comprehensive nutritional supplementation (multiple micronutrients plus balanced protein energy) among women with inadequate nutrition has been associated with improved birth outcomes, including decreased rates of low birthweight. A diet that severely restricts any macronutrient class should be avoided, specifically the ketogenic diet that lacks carbohydrates, the Paleo diet because of dairy restriction, and any diet characterized by excess saturated fats. User-friendly tools to facilitate a quick evaluation of dietary patterns with clear guidance on how to address dietary inadequacies and embedded support from trained healthcare providers are urgently needed.

Recent evidence has shown that although excessive gestational weight gain predicts adverse perinatal outcomes among women with normal weight, the degree of prepregnancy obesity predicts adverse perinatal outcomes to a greater degree than gestational weight gain among women with obesity. Furthermore, low body mass index and insufficient gestational weight gain are associated with poor perinatal outcomes. Observational data have shown that first-trimester gain is the strongest predictor of adverse outcomes. Interventions beginning in early pregnancy or preconception are needed to prevent downstream complications for mothers and their children. For neonates, human milk provides personalized nutrition and is associated with short- and long-term health benefits for infants and mothers. Eating a healthy diet is a way for lactating mothers to support optimal health for themselves and their infants.

ENDOCRINOLOGY IN PREGNANCY: Targeting metabolic health promotion to optimise maternal and offspring health

There is an increase in maternal metabolic burden due to the rise in pregnancies complicated by obesity, gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome. Metabolic dysfunction during pregnancy is associated with increased risks of long-term morbidity and mortality for women and their offspring. Lifestyle interventions in pregnancy in women at risk of metabolic dysfunction have demonstrated short-term improvements such as reduced gestational weight gain and lowered risk of gestational diabetes. It is not known whether these interventions lead to sustained improvements in the metabolic health of the mother and baby. Pharmacological interventions have also shown benefits for the mother and baby in pregnancy, including improvements in glycaemic control, reduction in gestational weight gain and reduction in large for gestational age infants; however, there remains uncertainty over long-term outcomes for mother and child. Existing studies on interventions targeting metabolic health are limited to selected populations in the preconception and postpartum periods and lack follow-up beyond delivery of the intervention. The COVID-19 pandemic has refocused our attention on the effects of maternal metabolic ill-health that play a role in contributing to premature morbidity and mortality. There is an urgent need for strategies to accurately identify the growing number of women and offspring at risk of long-term adverse metabolic health. Strategies which focus on early identification and risk stratification using individualised risk scores in the pre and inter-conception periods must take priority if we are to target and improve the metabolic health of women and their offspring who are at highest risk.

An integrated primary care-based programme of PRE-Pregnancy cARE to improve pregnancy outcomes in women with type 2 Diabetes (The PREPARED study): protocol for a multi-method study of implementation, system adaptation and performance

BACKGROUND

The number of women of childbearing age with Type 2 diabetes(T2DM) is increasing, and they now account for > 50% of pregnancies in women with pre-existing diabetes. Diabetes pregnancies without adequate pre-pregnancy care have higher risk for poor outcomes (miscarriages, birth-defects, stillbirths) and are associated with increased complications (caesarean deliveries, macrosomic babies, neonatal intensive-care admissions). The risks and costs of these pregnancies can be reduced with pregnancy preparation (HbA1c, ≤ 6.5%, 5 mg folic acid and stopping potentially harmful medicines). However, 90% of women with T2DM, most of whom are based in primary care, are not adequately prepared for pregnancy. This study will evaluate a programme of primary care-based interventions (decision-support systems; pre-pregnancy care-pathways; pregnancy-awareness resources; professional training; and performance monitoring) to improve pregnancy preparation in women with T2DM.

METHODS

The study aims to optimise the programme interventions and estimate their impact on pregnancy preparation, pre-pregnancy care uptake and pregnancy outcomes. To evaluate this multimodal intervention, we will use a multi-method research design following Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory, refining the interventions iteratively during the study. Thirty GP practices with ≥ 25 women with T2DM of reproductive age (18-45 years) from two South London boroughs will be exposed to the intervention. This will provide > 750 women with an estimated pregnancy incidence of 80-100 to study. The research involves: a clinical audit of processes and outcomes; a process evaluation informing intervention feasibility, implementation, and behaviour change; and a cost-consequences analysis informing future economic evaluation. Performance data will be collected via audits of GP systems, hospital antenatal clinics and pregnancy outcomes. Following CAS theory, we will use repeated measurements to monitor intervention impact on pregnancy preparation markers at 4-monthly intervals over 18-months. We will use performance and feasibility data to optimise intervention effects iteratively. The target performance for the intervention is a 30% increase in the proportion of women meeting pre-pregnancy care criteria.

DISCUSSION

The primary output will be development of an integrated programme of interventions to improve pregnancy preparation, pre-pregnancy care uptake, and reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with T2DM. We will also develop an implementation plan to support the introduction of the interventions across the NHS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN47576591 ; February 8, 2022.

A study of diabetic ketoacidosis in the pregnant population in the United Kingdom: Investigating the incidence, aetiology, management and outcomes

AIM

To estimate the incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) among pregnant women, describe its clinical features, management and outcomes and identify the risk factors for the condition.

METHODS

A national population-based case-control study was conducted in the UK using the UK Obstetric Surveillance System between April 2019 and September 2020 including all pregnant women with DKA irrespective of the level of blood glucose. The incidence rate of DKA in pregnancy was estimated. A case-control analysis limited to women with type 1 diabetes was performed comparing characteristics of women with DKA (cases) to those of women whose pregnancies were not complicated by DKA (controls).

RESULTS

In all, 82 women were identified with DKA in pregnancy; 6.3 per 100,000 maternities (95% CI: 5.0-7.9). No maternal deaths occurred, but perinatal mortality was 12/73 (16%) with 11 stillbirths and one neonatal death. DKA episodes mostly occurred in women with type 1 diabetes (85%) and in the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy (71%). Episodes were mainly precipitated by infection (21%), vomiting (21%), steroid therapy (13%) and medication errors (10%). Fifteen percent of women had more than one episode of DKA during their pregnancy. Risk factors associated with DKA among women with type 1 diabetes identified through the case-control analysis were the woman and/or partner not being in a paid employment and having at least one microvascular complication of diabetes before pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

DKA in pregnancy was associated with high perinatal mortality and was linked with factors related to socio-economic deprivation, mental health problems and long-term difficulties with glycaemic control.

Gestational and pregestational diabetes in pregnant women with cystic fibrosis

As cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies offer greater longevity and improved health quality, women living with cystic fibrosis (CF) are increasingly pursuing pregnancy. Maternal risks for pregnant women with CF largely depend on a woman's baseline pulmonary and pancreatic function, and the majority of CF pregnancies will successfully end in live births. Diabetes, either gestational or pre-existing cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), is highly prevalent in women with CF, affecting 18 to 62% of pregnancies in recent CF center reports. In addition to the rising incidence of CFRD with age, gestational diabetes is also more common in women with CF due to lower insulin secretion, higher insulin resistance, and increased hepatic glucose production as compared to pregnant women without CF. Diabetes occurring during pregnancy has important implications for maternal and fetal health. It is well established in women without CF that glycemic control is directly associated with risks of fetal malformation, neonatal-perinatal mortality, cesarean delivery and need for neonatal intensive care. Small studies in women with CF suggest that pregnancies affected by diabetes have an increased risk of preterm delivery, lower gestational age, and lower fetal birth weight compared to those without diabetes. Women with CF preparing for pregnancy should be counseled on the risks of diabetes and should undergo routine screening for CFRD with oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) if not already completed in the past six months. Glycemic control in those with pre-gestational CFRD should be optimized prior to conception. Insulin is preferred for the management of diabetes in pregnant women with CF via multiple daily injections or insulin pump therapy, and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) can be useful in mitigating hypoglycemia risks. Women with CF face many unique challenges impacting diabetes care during pregnancy and would benefit from support by a multidisciplinary care team, including nutrition and endocrinology, to ensure healthy pregnancies.

Type 1 Diabetes in Pregnancy: A Review of Complications and Management

BACKGROUND

Pre-gestational diabetes can pose significant risk to the mother and infant, thus requiring careful counselling and management. Since Saint Vincent's declaration in 1989, adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, such as preeclampsia, perinatal mortality, congenital anomalies, and macrosomia, continue to be associated with type 1 diabetes. Although pregnancy is not considered an independent risk factor for the development of new onset microvascular complications, it is known to exacerbate pre-existing microvascular disease. Strict glycaemic control is the optimal management for pre-existing type 1 diabetes in pregnancy, as raised HbA1C is associated with increased risk of maternal and fetal complications. More recently, time in range on Continuous Glucose Monitoring glucose profiles has emerged as another useful evidence-based marker of fetal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This review summarises the complications associated with pre-gestational type 1 diabetes, appropriate evidence-based management, including preparing for pregnancy, intrapartum and postpartum care.

METHODS

A structured search of the PubMed and Cochrane databases was conducted. Peer-reviewed articles about complications and management guidelines on pre-gestational type 1 diabetes were selected and critically appraised.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-three manuscripts were referenced and appraised in this review, and international guidelines were summarised.

CONCLUSION

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recurring themes in the literature pertaining to type 1 diabetes in pregnancy: maternal and fetal complications, microvascular disease progression, and an overview of current guideline-specific management.

Maternal serum fructosamine levels and stillbirth: a case-control study of the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between maternal fructosamine levels at the time of delivery and stillbirth.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of a case-control study.

SETTING

Multicentre study of five geographic catchment areas in the USA.

POPULATION

All singleton stillbirths with known diabetes status and fructosamine measurement, and representative live birth controls.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Fructosamine levels in stillbirths and live births among groups were adjusted for potential confounding factors, including diabetes. Optimal thresholds of fructosamine to discriminate stillbirth and live birth.

RESULTS

A total of 529 women with a stillbirth and 1499 women with a live birth were included in the analysis. Mean fructosamine levels were significantly higher in women with a stillbirth than in women with a live birth after adjustment (177 ± 3.05 versus 165 ± 2.89 μmol/L, P < 0.001). The difference in fructosamine levels between stillbirths and live births was greater among women with diabetes (194 ± 8.54 versus 162 ± 3.21 μmol/L), compared with women without diabetes (171 ± 2.50 versus 162 ± 2.56 μmol/L). The area under the curve (AUC) for fructosamine level and stillbirth was 0.634 (0.605-0.663) overall, 0.713 (0.624-0.802) with diabetes and 0.625 (0.595-0.656) with no diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal fructosamine levels at the time of delivery were higher in women with stillbirth compared with women with live birth. Differences were substantial in women with diabetes, suggesting a potential benefit of glycaemic control in women with diabetes during pregnancy. The small differences noted in women without diabetes are not likely to justify routine screening in all cases of stillbirth.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Maternal serum fructosamine levels are higher in women with stillbirth than in women with live birth, especially in women with diabetes.

An integrated pre-pregnancy care programme framework theoretically modelled from the perspectives of women with Type 2 diabetes and healthcare professionals

BACKGROUND

Pregnancies in women with diabetes are associated with significant additional risks for the fetus, infant and mother such as, higher risk of stillbirths or congenital anomalies. Pre-pregnancy care can attenuate these risks. However, while women with Type 2 diabetes account for half of pregnancies in women with pre-existing diabetes, they are much less likely to receive pre-pregnancy care than women with Type 1 diabetes. This discrepancy may be related to the fact that most pre-pregnancy care is located in specialist diabetes centres where women with Type 1 diabetes are managed; whereas women with Type 2 diabetes are managed in primary care and reproductive care is not a routine element of diabetes care. Therefore, to improve pre-pregnancy care among women with Type 2 diabetes strategies need to be tailored to the specific needs of this group and the context of their diabetes care.

OBJECTIVES

This paper seeks to inform the development of an integrated pre-pregnancy care programme by presenting strategies identified by women with Type 2 diabetes and healthcare professionals that address some of the barriers they experience in relation to pre-pregnancy care.

METHODS

A qualitative study using semi-structured in-depth interviews with women of reproductive age with Type 2 diabetes (n=30) and diabetes healthcare professionals (n=22) from both primary and secondary care. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using Framework Analysis. The identified themes were then mapped to create a theoretical intervention framework using Normalisation Process Theory and the Capabilities, Opportunity, and Motivation to perform a Behaviour model.

RESULTS

Six themes were identified expressing the need for a multimodal approach for improving the uptake of pre-pregnancy care in women with Type 2 diabetes. These themes were then mapped onto the constructs of Normalisation Process Theory as follows: coherence (enhancing understanding of reproductive needs among women and healthcare professionals); cognitive participation (constructing a positive narrative for pregnancy and Type 2 diabetes); collective action (increasing the visibly of the reproductive needs of women, integrating healthcare systems and utilising supportive technologies); and reflexive monitoring (using multi-modal approaches to support systemised care). The data were also modelled to identify target behaviours for intervention detailing what needs to be done by whom, when and where.

CONCLUSION

Women with Type 2 diabetes account for half of pregnancies in those with pre-existing diabetes; however, they are less likely to receive pre-pregnancy care than women with Type 1 diabetes. Pre-pregnancy care can reduce the maternal and fetal risks associated with Type 2 diabetes. This study presents strategies to improve the current low uptake of pre-pregnancy care for women with Type 2 diabetes. These strategies have been tailored to the specific needs of women and healthcare professionals and support integration within the woman's routine diabetes management.

Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on placental expression and activity of nutrient transporters and their association with birth weight and neonatal adiposity

AIMS

Infants born to women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are at risk of being born large for gestational age due to excess fetal fat accretion. Placental nutrient transport determines fetal nutrient availability, impacting fetal growth. The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of T2DM on placental insulin signaling, placental nutrient transporters and neonatal adiposity.

METHODS

Placentas were collected from BMI-matched normoglycemic controls (NGT, n = 9) and T2DM (n = 9) women. Syncytiotrophoblast microvillous (MVM) and basal (BM) plasma membranes were isolated. Expression of glucose (GLUT1, -4), fatty acid (FATP2, -4, -6, FAT/CD36), amino acid (SNAT1, -2, -4, LAT1, -2) transporters, insulin signaling, and System A transporter activity was determined. Neonatal fat mass (%) was measured in a subset of neonates born to T2DM women.

RESULTS

GLUT1 protein expression was increased (p = 0.001) and GLUT4 decreased (p = 0.006) in BM from T2DM. MVM FATP6 expression was increased (p = 0.02) and correlated with birth weight in both T2DM and NGT groups (r = 0.65, p = 0.02). BM FATP6 expression was increased (p = 0.01) in T2DM. In MVM of T2DM placentas, SNAT1 expression was increased (p = 0.05) and correlated with birth weight (r = 0.84, p = 0.004); SNAT2 was increased (p = 0.01), however System A transporter activity was not different between groups. MVM LAT1 expression was increased (p = 0.01) in T2DM and correlated with birth weight (r = 0.59, p = 0.04) and neonatal fat mass (r = 0.76, p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

In pregnancies complicated by T2DM placental protein expression of transporters for glucose, amino acids and fatty acids is increased, which may contribute to increased fetal growth and neonatal adiposity.

Association of Implementation of a Comprehensive Preconception-to-Pregnancy Management Plan With Pregnancy Outcomes Among Chinese Pregnant Women With Type 1 Diabetes: The CARNATION Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect on pregnancy outcome of integrating a comprehensive management plan for patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) into the World Health Organization universal maternal care infrastructure.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A comprehensive preconception-to-pregnancy management plan for women with T1D was implemented in 11 centers from 8 Chinese cities from 2015 to 2017. Sequential eligible pregnant women (n = 133 out of 137 initially enrolled) with T1D and singleton pregnancies attending these management centers formed the prospective cohort. The main outcome was severe adverse pregnancy outcome comprising maternal mortality, neonatal death, congenital malformations, miscarriage in the second trimester, and stillbirth. We compared pregnancy outcomes in this prospective cohort with two control groups with the same inclusion and exclusion criteria: a retrospective cohort (n = 153) of all eligible pregnant women with T1D attending the same management centers from 2012 to 2014 and a comparison cohort (n = 116) of all eligible pregnant women with T1D receiving routine care from 2015 to 2017 in 11 different centers from 7 cities.

RESULTS

The rate of severe adverse pregnancy outcome was lower in the prospective cohort (6.02%) than in either the retrospective cohort (18.30%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.31 [95% CI 0.13-0.74]) or the contemporaneous comparison cohort (25.00%; aOR 0.22 [95% CI 0.09-0.52]).

CONCLUSIONS

The substantial improvements in the prospective cohort are evidence of a potentially clinically important effect of the comprehensive management plan on pregnancy outcomes among Chinese pregnant women with pregestational T1D. This supports the development of similar approaches in other countries.

Benefits of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Pregnancy

In recent years, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has become increasingly available with the introduction of devices that are specifically approved for use during pregnancy. Evidence in the form of randomized-controlled trials and cohort studies continues to build support for the use of CGM during pregnancy to improve measures of maternal glycemia as well as obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Based on data from the CGM in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes (CONCEPTT) trial alongside a Swedish cohort study of real-world outcomes of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines now recommend that real-time CGM be offered to all pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. Based on these guidelines, all pregnant individuals in the United Kingdom with type 1 diabetes will receive government-funded real-time CGM for a 12-month duration. These guidelines are a game-changer and will continue to facilitate more widespread access to CGM use in the United Kingdom and beyond. This review describes the role of CGM in the management of diabetes in pregnancy, discusses contemporary maternal glucose levels and their relationship with outcomes in diabetes pregnancies, and examines the high-quality, randomized-controlled trial and the real-world clinical data evaluating the impact of CGM use.

Characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes: a 5-year national population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with preterm delivery, birthweight extremes, and increased rates of congenital anomaly, stillbirth, and neonatal death. We aimed to identify and compare modifiable risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes and those with type 2 diabetes and to identify effective maternity clinics.

METHODS

In this national population-based cohort study, we used data for pregnancies among women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes collected in the first 5 years of the National Pregnancy in Diabetes audit across 172 maternity clinics in England, Wales, and the Isle of Man, UK. Data for obstetric complications (eg, preterm delivery [<37 weeks' gestation], large for gestational age [LGA] birthweight [>90th percentile]) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (congenital anomaly, stillbirth, neonatal death) were obtained for pregnancies completed between Jan 1, 2014, and Dec 31, 2018. We assessed associations between modifiable (eg, HbA_1c, BMI, pre-pregnancy care, maternity clinic) and non-modifiable risk factors (eg, age, ethnicity, deprivation, duration of type 1 diabetes) with pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes compared with those with type 2 diabetes. We calculated associations between maternal factors and perinatal deaths using a regression model, including diabetes type and duration, maternal age, BMI, deprivation quintile, first trimester HbA_1c, preconception folic acid, potentially harmful medications, and third trimester HbA_1c.

FINDINGS

Our dataset included 17 375 pregnancy outcomes in 15 290 pregnant women. 8690 (50·0%) of 17 375 pregnancies were in women with type 1 diabetes (median age at delivery 30 years [10-90th percentile 22-37], median duration of diabetes 13 years [3-25]) and 8685 (50·0%) were in women with type 2 diabetes (median age at delivery 34 years [27-41], median duration of diabetes 3 years [0-10]). The rates of preterm delivery (3325 [42·5%] of 7825 pregnancies among women with type 1 diabetes, 1825 [23·4%] of 7815 with type 2 diabetes; p<0·0001), and LGA birthweight (4095 [52·2%] of 7845 with type 1 diabetes, 2065 [26·2%] of 7885 with type 2 diabetes; p<0·0001) were higher in type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of congenital anomaly (among women with type 1 diabetes: 44·8 per 1000 livebirths, terminations, and fetal losses; among women with type 2 diabetes: 40·5 per 1000 livebirths, terminations, and fetal losses; p=0·17) and stillbirth (type 1 diabetes: 10·4 per 1000 livebirths and stillbirths; type 2 diabetes: 13·5 per 1000 livebirths and stillbirths; p=0·072) did not significantly differ between diabetes types, but rates of neonatal death were higher in mothers with type 2 diabetes than in those with type 1 diabetes (type 1 diabetes: 7·4 per 1000 livebirths; type 2 diabetes 11·2 per 1000 livebirths; p=0·013). Across the whole study population, independent risk factors for perinatal death (ie, stillbirth or neonatal death) were third trimester HbA_1c of 6·5% (48 mmol/mol) or higher (odds ratio 3·06 [95% CI 2·16-4·33] vs HbA_1c <6·5%), being in the highest deprivation quintile (2·29 [1·16-4·52] vs the lowest quintile), and having type 2 diabetes (1·65 [1·18-2·31] vs type 1 diabetes). Variations in HbA_1c and LGA birthweight were associated with maternal characteristics (age, diabetes duration, deprivation, BMI) without substantial differences between maternity clinics.

INTERPRETATION

Our data highlight persistent adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Maternal glycaemia and BMI are the key modifiable risk factors. No maternity clinics were had appreciably better outcomes than any others, suggesting that health-care system changes are needed across all clinics.

FUNDING

None.

Stillbirth Among Patients With Diabetes in Pregnancy in Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose: Maternal diabetes mellitus and the resulting adverse fetal outcomes including stillbirth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are high. Thus, setting specific evidence is pivotal to plan, evaluate, and improve national preventive measures and to achieve international sustainable development goals. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was the first of its kind to estimate the pooled prevalence of stillbirth and its determinants among diabetic mothers in Ethiopia. Methods: Primary studies were exhaustively searched using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases, and gray literature found in Addis Ababa and Haramaya University online repositories was accessed. Eligible studies were selected and critically appraised for quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) quality appraisal checklist. The overall prevalence of stillbirth among diabetic mothers was estimated using a weighted inverse random-effect model. I ² statistic was used for evidence of heterogeneity. Egger's test and funnel plot were used to check the presence of publication bias. Results: The pooled prevalence of stillbirth among diabetic mothers was 2.39 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.20, 4.97]. Being a housewife [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.26, 3.23], maternal age of <30 years [AOR = 2.08 (95% CI: 1.02, 3.13)], and gestational age of <37 completed weeks [AOR = 9.76 (95% CI: 7.83, 11.70)] increased the risk of stillbirth among diabetic mothers. Conclusions: The national pooled prevalence of stillbirth among diabetic mothers was 2.39%. Maternal age of <30 years, gestational age of <37 completed weeks, and being a housewife were significantly associated with stillbirth. Trial registration: PROSPERO 2020: CRD4202016774.

Placental Morphology and Cellular Characteristics in Stillbirths in Women With Diabetes and Unexplained Stillbirths

CONTEXT.—

Women with diabetes have increased stillbirth risk. Although the underlying pathophysiological processes are poorly understood, stillbirth is frequently related to abnormal placental structure and function.

OBJECTIVE.—

To investigate placental morphology and cellular characteristics in the placentas of women with diabetes who had stillbirths and stillbirths of unexplained cause.

DESIGN.—

Placentas from women with uncomplicated live births, live births in women with diabetes, unexplained stillbirths, and stillbirths related to diabetes (n = 10/group) underwent clinical histopathologic assessment and were also investigated using immunohistochemical staining to quantify syncytial nuclear aggregates, proliferation, trophoblast area, vascularization, T cells, placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells), and the receptor for advanced glycation end products.

RESULTS.—

Ki67+ cells were decreased in unexplained stillbirths compared with live births in women with diabetes. Both stillbirth groups had increased cytokeratin 7+/nuclear area compared with controls. Blood vessels/villi were decreased in unexplained stillbirth compared with live births from women with diabetes. Compared with uncomplicated controls, CD163+ macrophages were increased in live births in women with diabetes and unexplained stillbirths, and further increased in stillbirths related to diabetes. There was no change in CD3+ T cells or syncytial nuclear aggregates. Receptor for advanced glycation end products-positive cells were decreased in both stillbirth groups compared with diabetes-related live births. Co-localization of receptor for advanced glycation end products in macrophages was increased in both stillbirth groups compared with live birth groups.

CONCLUSIONS.—

Stillbirths related to diabetes exhibit placental phenotypic differences compared with live births. Further investigation of these parameters may provide understanding of the pathologic mechanisms of stillbirth and aid the development of stillbirth prevention strategies.

Late-Pregnancy Fetal Hypoxia Is Associated With Altered Glucose Metabolism and Adiposity in Young Adult Offspring of Women With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To investigate associations between exposure to fetal hypoxia and indicators of metabolic health in young adult offspring of women with type 1 diabetes (OT1D).

METHODS

156 OT1D born between 7/1995 and 12/2000 at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, were invited for follow-up between 3/2019 and 11/2019. A control group of 442 adults born from non-diabetic pregnancies, matched for date and place of birth, was obtained from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. In total, 58 OT1D and 86 controls agreed to participate. All OT1D had amniotic fluid (AF) sampled for erythropoietin (EPO) measurement within two days before delivery in order to diagnose fetal hypoxia. In total, 29 OTID had an AF EPO concentration <14.0 mU/l, defined as normal, and were categorized into the low EPO (L-EPO) group. The remaining 29 OT1D had AF EPO ≥14.0 mU/ml, defined as fetal hypoxia, and were categorized into the high EPO (H-EPO) group. At the age of 18-23 years, participants underwent a 2-h 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in addition to height, weight, waist circumference, body composition, blood pressure, HbA_1c, cholesterol, triglyceride, high-sensitivity CRP and leisure-time physical activity measurements.

RESULTS

Two OT1D were diagnosed with diabetes and excluded from further analyses. At young adult age, OT1D in the H-EPO group had a higher BMI than those in the L-EPO group. In addition, among female participants, waist circumference and body fat percentage were highest in the H-EPO group. In the OGTTs, the mean (SD) 2-h post-load plasma glucose (mmol/L) was higher in the H-EPO [6.50 (2.11)] than in the L-EPO [5.21 (1.10)] or control [5.67 (1.48)] offspring (p=0.009). AF EPO concentrations correlated positively with 2-h post-load plasma glucose [r=0.35 (95% CI: 0.07 to 0.62)] and serum insulin [r=0.44 (95% CI: 0.14 to 0.69)] concentrations, even after adjusting for maternal BMI, birth weight z-score, gestational age at birth and adult BMI. Control, L-EPO and H-EPO groups did not differ with regards to other assessed parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

High AF EPO concentrations in late pregnancy, indicating fetal hypoxia, are associated with increased adiposity and elevated post-load glucose and insulin concentrations in young adult OT1D.

Diabetes und Schwangerschaft – Update 2020

In einer kurzen Übersicht werden die aktuellen Erkenntnisse zur Coronaviruserkrankung 2019 (COVID-19) bei Schwangeren dargestellt. Selbstmonitoring der kapillaren Blutglukosewerte ist derzeit noch der Goldstandard bei Schwangeren. Bei Verwendung subkutaner Glukosesensoren sollte die „time in range“ (TIR) >70 % in dem Bereich 63–140 mg/dl (3,5–7,8 mmol/l) so früh wie möglich erreicht werden. Bei präexistentem Diabetes besteht bei Kindern mit einer Wachstumsrestriktion ein hohes Risiko für Totgeburten. Mangels nachgewiesener Verbesserung relevanter Endpunkte sollten pharmakologische Therapien bei Schwangeren mit frühem Gestationsdiabetes <24 + 0 Schwangerschaftswochen besonders kritisch abgewogen werden. Präkonzeptionell adipöse Frauen sollten bis zur Geburt nicht mehr als 6 kg zunehmen. Nach bariatrisch-metabolischer Chirurgie bestehen neben Vorteilen für die Mütter erhöhte Risiken für Neugeborene, z. B. eine erhöhte Rate an „small for gestational age“ nach Roux-en-Y-Magenbypass.