Secular trend for increasing birthweight in offspring of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes: is improved placentation the reason?

Real-world data on the Minimed 780G advanced hybrid closed-loop system use during type 1 diabetes pregnancy: One centre observational study

Aim The efficacy of hybrid closed-loop systems (HCLs) in managing glycemic control in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes remains inadequately characterized. We evaluated the use of the Medtronic Minimed 780G HCLs.

METHODS

The retrospective observational study analyzed the glycemic and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women using the HCLs, followed at our tertiary centre. Independent t-tests were employed to compare data among trimesters based on pre-pregnancy HbA1c. The associations between glycemic parameters and perinatal outcomes were explored using Spearman rho.

RESULTS

Among the 21 women (age: 33.5 ± 4.2 years, diabetes duration: 21.2 ± 7.6 years, pre-pregnancy HbA1c 7.0 ± 1.1 % (52.9 ± 11.9 mmol/mol)) time in range (pTIR, 63-140 mg/dl; 3.5-7.8 mmol/l) increased progressively throughout pregnancy (trimesters: first: 64.0 ± 9.0 %; second:71.3 ± 11.8 %; third: 75.7 ± 8.1 %). Simultaneously, mean sensor glucose decreased (trimesters: first: 130 ± 10.4 mg/dl (7.2 ± 0.6 mmol/l); second: 120.9 ± 13.4 mg/dl (6.7 ± 0.7 mmol/l); third: 117.3 ± 9.1 mg/dl (6.5 ± 0.5 mmol/l)). Although a majority of women achieved the target pTIR until the third trimester, this did not consistently prevent the delivery of a large-for-gestational-age baby. Notably, one ketoacidosis event occurred, and there were no reported instances of severe hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSION

Use of the Minimed 780G HCLs enabled the attainment of recommended pregnancy glycemic targets for most women with type 1 diabetes in a real-world setting.

Pathophysiology from preconception, during pregnancy, and beyond

Gestational diabetes is the most common medical complication in pregnancy. Historically, gestational diabetes was considered a pregnancy complication involving treatment of rising glycaemia late in the second trimester. However, recent evidence challenges this view. Pre-pregnancy and pregnancy-specific factors influence gestational glycaemia, with open questions regarding roles of non-glycaemic factors in the aetiology and consequences of gestational diabetes. Varying patterns of insulin secretion and resistance in early and late pregnancy underlie a heterogeneity of gestational diabetes in the timing and pathophysiological subtypes with clinical implications: early gestational diabetes and insulin resistant gestational diabetes subtypes are associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications. Metabolic perturbations of early gestational diabetes can affect early placental development, affecting maternal metabolism and fetal development. Fetal hyperinsulinaemia can affect the development of multiple fetal tissues, with short-term and long-term consequences. Pregnancy complications are prevented by managing glycaemia in early and late pregnancy in some, but not all women with gestational diabetes. A better understanding of the pathophysiology and heterogeneity of gestational diabetes will help to develop novel management approaches with focus on improved prevention of maternal and offspring short-term and long-term complications, from pre-conception, throughout pregnancy, and beyond.

Association between serum copper level and reproductive health of Women in the United States: a cross-sectional study

Copper is an indispensable trace element in metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between copper and reproductive health, and possibly provide new insights for diagnosis and treatment. This study was based on data extracted from the NHANES database (2013-2014 and 2015-2016). The t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square test, multiple linear regression, and restricted cubic spline analysis were used. Serum copper levels were significantly higher in women with gestational diabetes than in those without gestational diabetes (P = 0.0150). Women with higher copper levels and smoking habits tended to deliver overweight babies (P = 0.028). Women with diabetes had higher serum copper and were prone to deliver overweight babies (P = 0.024). Serum copper levels showed a positive relationship with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels (P < 0.0001). In this study, serum copper levels were found to be associated with reproductive health in women. Further studies are required to draw causal inferences.

Diabetes and pregnancy study (DAPSY): a 10-year single-center cohort study of pregnancies affected by diabetes

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to investigate to what degree clinical characteristics can contribute to incidence and structure of pregnancy and childbirth complications in women with diabetes, and to reveal key risk factors for adverse outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study from January 2008 through December 2017, including 3069 singleton pregnancies, affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D, n = 498), type 2 diabetes (T2D, n = 214), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM, n = 2357).

RESULTS

More than 10 years duration of T1D associated with increased risk for preterm birth (RR 2.03, 95% CI 1.28-3.20) and preeclampsia (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.09-2.26). Diabetic nephropathy, same as diabetic proliferative retinopathy, was associated with increased risk of C-section, preeclampsia development, SGA delivery. In patients with T1D who received CSII (12%), we do not report superior outcomes compared to MDI. Pre-pregnancy HbA1c level less than 6.5% reduced the risk of preeclampsia for T1D (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.19-0.67) and risk of LGA birth for T2D (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19-0.92). Achieving glycemic target values by full-term pregnancy reduced the risk of excessive fetal adiposity (RR 0.81 for T1D, RR 0.39 for T2D). For T2D and GDM, the leading risk factors were obesity and chronic hypertension. For patients with GDM, insulin administration and early diagnosis of GDM were the significant risk factors for adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes during pregnancy is challenging for the clinician, but optimizing glycemic control, treatment regimens, and close attention to comorbidities can help to reduce the risks and ensure appropriate quality diabetes management.

Fetal Overgrowth and Preterm Delivery in Women With Type 1 Diabetes Using Insulin Pumps or Multiple Daily Injections: A Post Hoc Analysis of the EVOLVE Study Cohort

OBJECTIVE

To compare the risk of fetal overgrowth and preterm delivery in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) treated with insulin pumps versus multiple daily injections (MDI) and examine whether possible differences were mediated through improved glycemic control or gestational weight gain during pregnancy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The risk of pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were evaluated in a cohort of 2,003 pregnant women with T1D enrolled from 17 countries in a real-world setting during 2013-2018.

RESULTS

In total, 723 women were treated with pumps and 1,280 with MDI. At inclusion (median gestational weeks 8.6 [interquartile range 7-10]), pump users had lower mean HbA1c (mean ± SD 50.6 ± 9.8 mmol/mol [6.8 ± 0.9%] vs. 53.6 ± 13.8 mmol/mol [7.1 ± 1.3%], P < 0.001), longer diabetes duration (18.4 ± 7.8 vs. 14.4 ± 8.2 years, P < 0.001), and higher prevalence of retinopathy (35.3% vs. 24.4%, P < 0.001). Proportions of large for gestational age (LGA) offspring and preterm delivery were 59.0% vs. 52.2% (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.36 [95% CI 1.09; 1.70], P = 0.007) and 39.6% vs. 32.1% (adjusted OR 1.46 (95% CI 1.17; 1.82), P < 0.001), respectively. The results did not change after adjustment for HbA1c or gestational weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin pump treatment in pregnant women with T1D, prior to the widespread use of continuous glucose monitoring or automated insulin delivery, was associated with a higher risk of LGA offspring and preterm delivery compared with MDI in crude and adjusted analyses. This association did not appear to be mediated by differences in glycemic control as represented by HbA1c or by gestational weight gain.

Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion Versus Multiple Daily Injections of Insulin for Pregestational Diabetes in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in pregnancies affected by pregestational diabetes mellitus (DM) has generated mixed outcome data worthy of further investigation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate clinical outcomes associated with CSII versus multiple daily injections (MDIs) in pregnant persons with pregestational DM.

METHODS

A predefined, systematic, librarian-assisted search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (published from 2010 to 2022) yielded 3003 studies describing pregnancy outcomes associated with CSII and/or MDI for pregestational DM. The primary exposure was mode of insulin administration, with cesarean delivery and neonatal hypoglycemia as the primary maternal and neonatal outcomes, respectively. Secondary outcomes included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, first and third-trimester glycemic control, large-for-gestational age (LGA) neonate, preterm birth, neonatal intensive care unit admission, need for respiratory support, hyperbilirubinemia, 5-minute Apgar <7, shoulder dystocia, and perinatal mortality. We calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effects models.

RESULTS

Among 39 eligible studies, 39% of the 5518 pregnancies included were exposed to CSII. Odds of cesarean delivery were higher with CSII (20 studies: 63% vs 56%, odds ratio [OR] 1.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-1.5]), but we did not identify a difference in the odds of neonatal hypoglycemia (23 studies: 31% vs 34%, OR 1.1 [95% CI 0.9-1.5]). Among secondary outcomes, only the odds of LGA (20 studies: 47% vs 38%, OR 1.4 [95% CI 1.2-1.6]) were higher in individuals using CSII versus MDI.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of CSII (vs MDI) for pregestational DM in pregnancy is associated with higher odds of cesarean delivery and delivery of an LGA neonate. Further evaluation of how CSII use may influence neonatal size and delivery route is warranted.