Gestational diabetes – an obstetric, neonatal and postnatal challenge

O. Dorobanțu, A. Vasilățeanu

Rezumat: In recent decades, the demographics of pregnant women have changed, with an increase of women giving birth at an older age and which, associated with the increase of obesity, has led to a rise in the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This has become a global concern and, from a public health perspective, it has huge implications for the mother and the baby. This longitudinal and transversal retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the “Regina Maria” Hospital – Private Health Network, Bucharest, and included 200 pregnant women who gave birth between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022. The patients selected were grouped into two major categories: the study group (100 pregnant women with gestational diabetes), and the control group (100 pregnant women without gestational diabetes). The total number of births in this period was 3807 (out of which 404 patients had gestational diabetes, representing 10.61%). The women were selected based on the following criteria: the glucose tolerance test with 75 g of modified glucose, with clinical exploration (age, Body Mass Index [BMI], hereditary antecedents, associated pathology, type of pregnancy), paraclinical and ultrasound. We included in our study patients of different ages and with different BMI. Women who gave birth to twins or more, with pre-pregnancy diabetes or with unavailable or incomplete case data were excluded from the study. The data used were collected from the patients’ observation documents, birth and operation records, and from the Medis medical information system. Microsoft Excel was used to analyze the data.The aim of the study is to show that having a normal BMI lowers the risks of gestational diabetes, and that patients with obesity have a higher risk of gestational diabetes. We want to demonstrate that there are direct correlations between clinical and paraclinical changes and maternal and fetal complications for pregnant women with gestational diabetes, and that having a good glycemic control is of great importance for the amelioration of pregnancy complications and perinatal conditions.
Cuvinte cheie: gestational diabetes, obesity, pregnancy, Body Mass Index