Glycemic control during labor and delivery: a survey of academic centers in the United States

Gestational Diabetes: Underpinning Principles, Surveillance, and Management

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is carbohydrate intolerance resulting in hyperglycemia with onset during pregnancy. The article aims to provide clinicians with a working framework to minimize maternal and neonatal morbidity. Landmark historical and recent data are reviewed and presented to provide clinicians with a quick, easy reference for recognition and management of GDM. Data presented tie in insights with underlying pathophysiologic processes leading to GDM. Screening and diagnostic thresholds are discussed along with management upon diagnosis. Good clinical practice regarding screening, diagnosis, and management of GDM effectively reduces risk and improves outcomes of women and fetuses in affected pregnancies.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: diagnosis and management; a survey of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology fellows

BACKGROUND

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is an uncommon obstetric condition characterised by intense maternal pruritis and biochemical abnormality. There is a degree of contention regarding the diagnosis and management of ICP, and currently, there are no nationally accepted guidelines.

AIMS

To conduct a survey of Fellows and Members of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) regarding their diagnosis and management ICP.

METHODS

An online survey of currently practising RANZCOG Fellows and Members, utilising Survey Monkey.

RESULTS

Thirty percent of those sent the survey responded, comprising approximately 40% of practising obstetricians. Fasting bile acid and serum transaminase elevation in association with the characteristic itch define the disease process for the majority of respondents and also inform management decisions. There was no critical level of bile acid elevation that mandated treatment for the majority of respondents. Nearly 90% of respondents induce women with ICP at 37-38 completed weeks of pregnancy, due to concerns regarding possible fetal demise. About one-third of respondents refer to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) Green-top Guideline to advise their decision-making process, and a similar proportion use local or hospital-based guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated fasting bile acids and abnormal liver function tests define the diagnosis and inform management of ICP by Australian obstetricians. Routine induction of labour for patients with ICP at 37-38 completed weeks of pregnancy is widely practised in Australia. An evidence-based guideline would assist clinicians who manage such cases in Australia.

Peripartum management of glycemia in women with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to 1) describe the peripartum management of type 1 diabetes at an Australian teaching hospital and 2) discuss factors influencing the apparent transient insulin independence postpartum.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of women with type 1 diabetes delivering singleton pregnancies from 2005 to 2010. Information was collected regarding demographics, medical history, peripartum management and outcome, and breast-feeding. To detect a difference in time to first postpartum blood glucose level (BGL) >8 mmol/L between women with an early (<4 h) and late (>12 h) requirement for insulin postpartum, with a power of 80% and a type 1 error of 0.05, at least 24 patients were required.

RESULTS

An intravenous insulin infusion was commenced in almost 95% of women. Univariate analysis showed that increased BMI at term, lower creatinine at term, longer duration from last dose of long- or intermediate-acting insulin, and discontinuation of an insulin infusion postpartum were associated with a shorter time to first requirement of insulin postpartum (P = 0.005, 0.026, 0.026, and <0.001, respectively). There was a correlation between higher doses of insulin commenced postpartum and number of out-of-range BGLs (r[36] = 0.358, P = 0.030) and hypoglycemia (r[36] = 0.434, P = 0.007). Almost 60% had at least one BGL <3.5 mmol/L between delivery and discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in the pharmacodynamic profile of insulin may contribute to the transient insulin independence sometimes observed postpartum in type 1 diabetes. A dose of 50-60% of the prepregnancy insulin requirement resulted in the lowest rate of hypoglycemia and glucose excursions. These results require validation in a larger, prospective study.