Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been associated with adverse maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes. The aim of this case-control study was to compare women whose pregnancy was complicated with GDM, diagnosed by the new International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria, with a control group of healthy pregnant women as far as large-for-gestational-age (LGA) neonates and macrosomia are concerned.

Methods: The study included 301 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies complicated by GDM and 839 controls. Women were followed-up every two (GDM group) or four weeks (control group). Fetal ultrasonography was performed every 4 weeks. The main metabolic parameters recorded in every visit were body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), home blood glucose measurements (HBGM) and glycozylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The main ultrasonographic parameters were estimated fetal weight (EFW), head (HC) and abdominal circumference (AC). Decisions on treatment modification in the GDM group were based on both metabolic and ultrasonographic parameters. Main study outcomes were cumulative incidence of LGA neonates and macrosomia.

Results: The cumulative incidence of LGA was 5.3% in GDM and 4.8% in control group (χ², P=0.755). The cumulative incidence of macrosomia was 4.3% in GDM and 4.1% in control group (χ², P=0.866). There were no significant differences in EFW, HC or AC between GDM and control groups in serial fetal ultrasounds from gestational week 16–37.

Conclusions: Women with GDM, diagnosed by the new IADPSG criteria and followed-up by both metabolic and ultrasonographic parameters, had cumulative incidence of LGA and macrosomia similar to that of women whose pregnancy was not complicated by GDM.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.