Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Pregnancy involves distinct metabolic stages, initially characterized by maternal anabolism, followed by a catabolic phase driven by placental lactogen and various cytokines, leading to varying degrees of insulin resistance. DM is the most common metabolic disorder linked to pregnancy.

Objective: The study aimed to detail the clinical characteristics, obstetric complications, and neonatal outcomes of patients with GDM and their children.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized accidental sampling of 50 patients diagnosed with GDM (diagnosed in the 2nd or 3rd trimester, with no prior DM history), who were treated in our Hospital’s Endocrinology and Nutrition clinic in 2022.

Results: The average age is 35.44 years. 68% were overweight or obese before pregnancy, and 16% had a history of GDM in previous pregnancies. 76% have a family history (of first or second degree) of T2DM. Regarding glycemic control, achieved through capillary glucometry, 60% was managed with dietary measures and physical activity, while the remaining 40% required insulin. 38% of the patients and their children lost follow-up so these results are unknown, however, during labor, 14% experienced complications, and 48% had normal vaginal deliveries. Concerning neonatal outcomes, 2% experienced hypoglycemia, another 2% were preterm, and 58% had no immediate complications. In the postpartum period, 10% of mothers showed carbohydrate intolerance, but DM was ruled out.

Conclusion: According to the literature, GDM is predominantly observed in individuals with a history of overweight or obesity and those with a family history of T2DM. While most cases are manageable through hygienic-dietary measures, a significant portion of patients require insulin therapy to maintain euglycemia throughout the pregnancy. It is important to note, however, that some patients may not adhere strictly to the recommended dietary guidelines. Furthermore, the incidence of complications during delivery and for the newborn is likely higher than reported in this study. This discrepancy can be attributed to the loss of patient follow-up, which is a notable limitation of this research.