Main Fetal Predictors of Adverse Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnancies with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Neonatal outcome following metformin-treated gestational diabetes mellitus: A population-based cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Neonatal hypoglycemia is a common complication associated with gestational diabetes and therefore relevant to consider in evaluations of maternal treatment. We aimed to investigate the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia in offspring exposed to metformin treatment alone (MT) or combined with insulin (MIT) in comparison with nutrition therapy alone (NT), and insulin treatment alone (IT). In addition, we investigated MT in comparison with MIT. Secondary outcomes included neonatal anthropometrics, respiratory morbidity, hyperbilirubinemia, 5-min Apgar score, and preterm birth.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This Swedish population-based cohort included 16 181 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and their singleton offspring born in 2019-2021. We estimated risk as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), using individual-level, linkage register-data in multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

In the main analysis, MT was associated with a lower risk of neonatal hypoglycemia vs NT (aOR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.96), vs MIT (0.74 [0.64-0.87]), and vs IT (0.47 [0.40-0.55]), whereas MIT was associated with a similar risk of neonatal hypoglycemia vs NT (1.14 [0.99-1.30]) and with lower risk vs IT (0.63 [0.53-0.75]). However, supplemental feeding rates were lower for NT vs pharmacological treatments (p < 0.001). In post hoc subgroup analyses including only exclusively breastfed offspring, the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia was modified and similar among MT and NT, and higher in MIT vs NT. Insulin exposure, alone or combined with metformin, was associated with increased risk of being large for gestational age. Compared with NT, exposure to any pharmacological treatment was associated with significantly lower risk of 5-min Apgar score < 4. All other secondary outcomes were comparable among the treatment categories.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of neonatal hypoglycemia appears to be comparable among offspring exposed to single metformin treatment and nutrition therapy alone, and the lower risk that we observed in favor of metformin is probably explained by a difference in supplemental feeding practices rather than metformin per se. By contrast, the lower risk favoring metformin exposure over insulin exposure was not explained by supplemental feeding. However, further investigations are required to determine whether the difference is an effect of metformin per se or mediated by other external factors.

Refining the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Perinatal outcomes vary for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The precise factors beyond glycemic status that may refine GDM diagnosis remain unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of potential precision markers for GDM.

METHODS

Systematic literature searches were performed in PubMed and EMBASE from inception to March 2022 for studies comparing perinatal outcomes among women with GDM. We searched for precision markers in the following categories: maternal anthropometrics, clinical/sociocultural factors, non-glycemic biochemical markers, genetics/genomics or other -omics, and fetal biometry. We conducted post-hoc meta-analyses of a subset of studies with data on the association of maternal body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) with offspring macrosomia or large-for-gestational age (LGA).

RESULTS

A total of 5905 titles/abstracts were screened, 775 full-texts reviewed, and 137 studies synthesized. Maternal anthropometrics were the most frequent risk marker. Meta-analysis demonstrated that women with GDM and overweight/obesity vs. GDM with normal range BMI are at higher risk of offspring macrosomia (13 studies [n = 28,763]; odds ratio [OR] 2.65; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.91, 3.68), and LGA (10 studies [n = 20,070]; OR 2.23; 95% CI 2.00, 2.49). Lipids and insulin resistance/secretion indices were the most studied non-glycemic biochemical markers, with increased triglycerides and insulin resistance generally associated with greater risk of offspring macrosomia or LGA. Studies evaluating other markers had inconsistent findings as to whether they could be used as precision markers.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal overweight/obesity is associated with greater risk of offspring macrosomia or LGA in women with GDM. Pregnancy insulin resistance or hypertriglyceridemia may be useful in GDM risk stratification. Future studies examining non-glycemic biochemical, genetic, other -omic, or sociocultural precision markers among women with GDM are warranted.

Association between fetal liver diameter and glycemic control in pregnant women with gestational diabetes: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between fetal liver length (FLL) and maternal glycemic status in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as to determine whether FLL measurement in the third trimester is associated with neonatal outcomes.

METHOD

A total of 51 singleton GDM pregnancies were included in this pilot study, and transabdominal ultrasound biometry and FLL measurements were performed between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation. Maternal indicators of glycemic control, including hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and 2-h postprandial blood sugar were also evaluated during this period. The cases were followed up until delivery and maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed to determine any correlation with FLL.

RESULT

The results showed a significant positive correlation between FLL and HbA1C (r = 0.464, P = 0.001), FBS (r = 0.574, P < 0.001), 2-h postprandial blood sugar (r = 0.405, P = 0.002), and AC (r = 0.515, P < 0.001). Additionally, FLL was significantly associated with fetal birth weight (r = 0.408, P = 0.003) and birth weight (r = 0.460, P = 0.001). The FLL≥95th percentile group demonstrated a higher number of polyhydramnios (p = 0.007), macrosomia (p < 0.001), and maternal intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, FLL measurement during third trimester of pregnancy is an indicator of maternal glycemic regulation and can be used as a predictor of macrosomia and neonatal birth weight in GDM pregnancies.

Association between HbA1c Levels and Fetal Macrosomia and Large for Gestational Age Babies in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 17,711 Women

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder in pregnancy. GDM is associated with serious maternal and fetal complications, in particular, fetal macrosomia and large for gestational age (LGA), which predisposes to a higher risk of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus later in life. Early prediction and diagnosis of GDM leads to early interventions such as diet and lifestyle, which could mitigate the maternal and fetal complications associated with GDM. Glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has been widely used for monitoring, screening for and diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes. Increasing evidence has also showed that HbA1c could indicate fetal glucose supply. Thus, we hypothesise that the HbA1c level at around 24 to 28 weeks may predict the development of fetal macrosomia or an LGA baby in women with GDM, which could be useful for better prevention of fetal macrosomia and LGA. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases from inception to November 2022 for relevant studies that reported at least one HbA1c level during 24-28 weeks of pregnancy and fetal macrosomia or an LGA baby. We excluded studies that were not published in the English language. No other search filters were applied during the search. Two independent reviewers selected eligible studies for meta-analysis. Two independent reviewers performed data collection and analyses. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42018086175. A total of 23 studies were included in this systematic review. Of these, 8 papers reported data of 17,711 women with GDM that allowed for inclusion in a meta-analysis. The obtained results demonstrated the prevalence of fetal macrosomia was 7.4% and of LGA, 13.36%. Meta-analyses showed that the estimated pooled risk ratio (RR) for LGA in women with high HbA1c values compared to normal or low values was 1.70 (95% CI: 1.23-2.35), p = 0.001; and the pooled RR for fetal macrosomia was 1.45 (95% CI: 0.80 to 2.63), p = 0.215. Further research is needed to evaluate the utility of HbA1c levels in predicting the delivery of a baby with fetal macrosomia or LGA in pregnant women.

Non-efficacy of early intervention strategy for non-obese patients with early-onset gestational diabetes mellitus: solely based on the short-term outcomes

INTRODUCTION

To verify the effectiveness of intervention in early pregnancy for women with early-onset gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This study included women with a singleton pregnancy who were diagnosed with early-onset GDM by 20 weeks of gestation according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) threshold. We retrospectively evaluated the pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with early-onset GDM. In the treatment from early pregnancy group (n=286), patients were diagnosed with early-onset GDM at the Yokohama City University Medical Center (YCU-MC) in 2015-2017 and were treated for GDM from early pregnancy. Concerning the treatment from mid-pregnancy group (n=248), participants were diagnosed with early-onset GDM at five sites, including the YCU-MC in 2018-2019, and were followed up without treatment until the second 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Treatment for GDM was given only if the GDM pattern was still present in the second OGTT.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in maternal backgrounds, including GDM risk factors and gestational weight gain, between the groups. Among the treatment from mid-pregnancy group, the false-positive early GDM was 124/248 (50%). Regarding pregnancy outcome, the rate of large for gestational age (LGA) was 8.8% in the treatment from early pregnancy group and 10% in the treatment from mid-pregnancy group, with no significant difference, whereas small for gestational age (SGA) was significantly higher in the treatment from early pregnancy group (9.4%) than in the treatment from mid-pregnancy group (4.8%) (p=0.046). There were no significant differences in maternal adverse events and neonatal outcomes between the groups. In a subanalysis limited to body mass index >25 kg/m², LGA was significantly lower in the treatment from early pregnancy group than in the treatment from mid-pregnancy group.

CONCLUSIONS

The strategy for diagnosing GDM by IADPSG thresholds in early pregnancy and providing treatment to all patients from early pregnancy did not improve the pregnancy outcomes, but rather increased the SGA rate.

Ultrasound predictors of adverse outcome in pregnancy complicated by pre-existing and gestational diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Ultrasound assessment of fetuses subjected to hyperglycemia is recommended but, apart from increased size, little is known about its interpretation, and the identification of which large fetuses of diabetic pregnancy are at risk is unclear. Newer markers of adverse outcomes, abdominal circumference growth velocity and cerebro-placental ratio, help to predict risk in non-diabetic pregnancy. Our study aims to assess their role in pregnancies complicated by diabetes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of singleton, non-anomalous fetuses of women with pre-existing or gestational diabetes mellitus, and estimated fetal weight at the 10th centile or above. Gestational diabetes was diagnosed by selective screening of at risk groups. A universal ultrasound scan was offered at 20 and 36 weeks of gestation. Estimated fetal weight, abdominal circumference growth velocity, presence of polyhydramnios, and cerebro-placental ratio were evaluated at the 36-week scan. A composite adverse outcome was defined as the presence of one or more of perinatal death, arterial cord pH less than 7.1, admission to Neonatal Unit, 5-minute Apgar less than 7, severe hypoglycemia, or cesarean section for fetal compromise. A chi-squared test was used to test the association of estimated fetal weight at the 90th centile or above, polyhydramnios, abdominal circumference growth velocity at the 90th centile or above, and cerebro-placental ratio at the 5th centile or below with the composite outcome. Logistic regression was used to assess which ultrasound markers were independent risk factors. Odds ratios of composite adverse outcome with combinations of independent ultrasound markers were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 1044 pregnancies were included, comprising 87 women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus and 957 with gestational diabetes. Estimated fetal weight at the 90th centile or above, abdominal circumference growth velocity at the 90th centile or above, cerebro-placental ratio at the 5th centile or below, but not polyhydramnios, were significantly associated with adverse outcomes: odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) 1.85 (1.21-2.84), 1.54 (1.02-2.31), 1.92 (1.21-3.30), and 1.53 (0.79-2.99), respectively. Only estimated fetal weight at the 90th centile or above and cerebro-placental ratio at the 5th centile or below were independent risk factors. The greatest risk (odds ratio 6.85, 95% confidence interval 2.06-22.78) was found where both the estimated fetal weight is at the 90th centile or above and the cerebro-placental ratio is at the 5th centile or below.

CONCLUSIONS

In diabetic pregnancies, a low cerebro-placental ratio, particularly in a macrosomic fetus, confers additional risk.

Sex-dependent influence of maternal predictors on fetal anthropometry in pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus

Background

Third trimester fetal anthropometric parameters are known to predict neonatal complications. A better understanding of predictors of adverse fetal parameters might help to personalize the use and frequency of fetal ultrasound. The objectives of this study were:

(a) to evaluate the utility of maternal sociodemographic, anthropometric and metabolic predictors to predict 3^rd trimester fetal anthropometric parameters in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM),

(b) to assess whether the impact of these maternal predictors is fetal sex-dependent, and

(c) to provide a risk stratification for markers of fetal overgrowth (fetal weight centile (FWC) and fetal abdominal circumference centile (FACC) depending on prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG) until the 1^st GDM visit.

Methods

This prospective study included 189 women with GDM. Maternal predictors were age, ethnicity, prepregnancy BMI, GWG and excessive weight gain until the 1^st GDM visit, fasting, 1-hour and 2-hour blood glucose oral glucose tolerance test values, HbA1c at the 1^st visit and medical treatment requirement. Fetal outcomes included FWC, FWC >90% and <10%, FACC, FACC >90% and <10%, at 29 0/7 to 35 6/7 weeks of gestational age. We performed univariate and multivariate regression analyses and probability analyses.

Results

In multivariate analyses, prepregnancy BMI was associated with FWC, FWC > 90% and FACC. GWG until the 1^st GDM visit was associated with FWC, FACC and FACC > 90% (all p ≤ 0.045). Other maternal parameters were not significantly associated with fetal anthropometry in multivariate analyses (all p ≥ 0.054). In female fetuses, only GWG was associated with FACC (p= 0.044). However, in male fetuses, prepregnancy BMI was associated with FWC, FWC > 90% and FACC and GWG with FWC in multivariate analyses (all p ≤ 0.030). In women with a prepregnancy BMI of ≥ 25 kg/m² and a GWG until the 1^st GDM visit ≥ 10.3 kg (mean GWG), the risk for FWC > 90% and FACC > 90% was 5.3 and 4 times higher than in their counterparts.

Conclusions

A personalized fetal ultrasound surveillance guided by fetal sex, prepregnancy BMI and GWG may be beneficial in reducing adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04767-z.

Impact of Risk Factors on Short and Long-Term Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study

AIMS

Universal screening of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in women with no risk factors (RF) for GDM remains controversial. This study identified the impact of the presence of RF on perinatal and postpartum outcomes.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 780 women with GDM. GDM RF included previous GDM, first grade family history of type 2 diabetes, high-risk ethnicity and pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity (OW/OB). Outcomes included obstetrical, neonatal and maternal metabolic parameters during pregnancy and up to 1 year postpartum.

RESULTS

Out of 780 patients, 24% had no RF for GDM. Despite this, 40% of them needed medical treatment and they had a high prevalence of glucose intolerance of 21 and 27% at 6-8 weeks and 1-year postpartum, respectively. Despite similar treatment, women with RF had more neonatal and obstetrical complications, but they had especially more frequent adverse metabolic outcomes in the short- and long-term. The most important RF for poor perinatal outcome were previous GDM and pre-pregnancy OW/OB, whereas high-risk ethnicity and pre-pregnancy OW/OB were RF for adverse postpartum metabolic outcomes. Increasing number of RF were associated with worsened perinatal and long-term postpartum outcomes except for pregnancy-induced hypertension, C-section delivery and neonatal hypoglycaemia.

CONCLUSION

Women with no RF had a high prevalence of adverse perinatal and postpartum outcomes, while the presence of RF particularly increased the risk for postpartum adverse metabolic outcomes. This calls for a RF-based long-term follow-up of women with GDM.

Adverse metabolic outcomes in the early and late postpartum after gestational diabetes are broader than glucose control

INTRODUCTION

Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. To better target preventive measures, we performed an in-depth characterization of cardiometabolic risk factors in a cohort of women with gestational diabetes in the early (6-8 weeks) and late (1 year) postpartum.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Prospective cohort of 622 women followed in a university gestational diabetes clinic between 2011 and 2017. 162 patients who attended the late postpartum visit were analyzed in a nested long-term cohort starting in 2015. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was based on the International Diabetes Federation definition, and then having at least two additional criteria of the MetS (blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, plasma glucose above or below the International Diabetes Federation cut-offs).

RESULTS

Compared with prepregnancy, weight retention was 4.8±6.0 kg in the early postpartum, and the prevalence of obesity, pre-diabetes, MetS-body mass index (BMI) and MetS-waist circumference (WC) were 28.8%, 28.9%, 10.3% and 23.8%, respectively. Compared with the early postpartum, weight did not change and waist circumference decreased by 2.6±0.6 cm in the late postpartum. However, the prevalence of obesity, pre-diabetes, MetS-WC and MetS-BMI increased (relative increase: 11% for obesity, 82% for pre-diabetes, 50% for MetS-WC, 100% for MetS-BMI; all p≤0.001).Predictors for obesity were the use of glucose-lowering treatment during pregnancy and the prepregnancy BMI. Predictors for pre-diabetes were the early postpartum fasting glucose value and family history of diabetes. Finally, systolic blood pressure in pregnancy and in the early postpartum, the 2-hour post oral glucose tolerance test glycemia and the HDL-cholesterol predicted the development of MetS (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of metabolic complications increased in the late postpartum, mainly due to an increase in fasting glucose and obesity, although weight did not change. We identified predictors of late postpartum obesity, pre-diabetes and MetS that could lead to high-risk identification and targeted preventions.

Type 2 diabetes and neonatal hypoglycemia: role of route of delivery and insulin infusion

OBJECTIVE

To compare the rate of neonatal hypoglycemia among newborns delivered by individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in two clinical scenarios: who attempted vaginal delivery vs. had a planned cesarean delivery (CD); who had intrapartum insulin infusion vs. who did not.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of individuals with insulin-treated T2DM who had non-anomalous singleton pregnancy and delivered at a single tertiary center (March 2012 and May 2018). Individuals with chronic renal failure, proliferative retinopathy, or major congenital anomalies were excluded. The primary outcome was neonatal hypoglycemia (blood glucose < 40 mg/dl <24 h of age or < 50 mg/dl >24 h of age). Secondary outcomes included neonatal outcomes. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to examine the association between groups and the primary outcome. Adjusted relative risk (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 233 individuals with T2DM, 215 (92.2%) met the inclusion criteria, of whom 95 (44%) attempted vaginal delivery and 120 (56%) had a planned CD. Individuals who labored had a higher gestational age at delivery (36.6 vs. 35.8 weeks, p = .005), and higher blood glucose levels upon admission (125 vs 103, p < .001) compared to those with a planned CD. After adjustment for potential confounders, there was no difference in risk of neonatal hypoglycemia between the groups (41.2 vs 44.1%, aRR 1.05, 95% CI = 0.75-1.45). Among those who attempted vaginal delivery, 34 (35.8%) required insulin infusion. There was no difference in the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia (aRR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.45-1.37) between newborns delivered by individuals who required insulin infusion and those who did not.

CONCLUSION

Over 40% of newborns delivered by individuals with insulin-dependent T2DM had hypoglycemia; however, there was no significant difference in the risk of hypoglycemia, irrespective of the route of delivery and the use of insulin infusion.

Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle Habits during Pregnancy: Is There an Association with Small for Gestational Age Infants? An Italian Single Centre Experience

Background. The small-for-gestational-age (SGA) in infants is related to an increased risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases later in life. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is related to lower odds of being SGA. The study explored retrospectively the association between SGA, maternal MD adherence, lifestyle habits and other SGA risk factors during pregnancy. Methods. One hundred women (16–44 years) with a pregnancy at term were enrolled. Demographic data, parity, pre-gestational BMI, gestational weight gain, pregnancy-related diseases, and type of delivery were collected. The MD adherence (MEDI-LITE score ≥ 9), physical activity level, and smoking/alcohol consumption were registered. SGA neonates were diagnosed according to the neonatal growth curves. Results. Women were divided into “SGA group” vs. “non-SGA group”. The MD was adopted by 71% of women and its adherence was higher in the “non-SGA group” (p = 0.02). The prevalence of pregnancy-related diseases (gestational diabetes/pregnancy-induced hypertension) was higher in the “SGA group” (p = 0.01). The logistic regression showed that pregnancy-related diseases were the only independent risk factor for SGA. Conclusions. MD may indirectly reduce the risk of SGA since it prevents and exerts a positive effect on pregnancy-related diseases (e.g., gestational diabetes and hypertension). The small sample size of women in the SGA group of the study imposes a major limitation to the results and conclusions of this research, suggesting however that it is worthy of further investigation.

Recent Advances in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and overt diabetes in pregnancy is rising globally [...].