High sugar levels in gestational diabetes harm mother and baby
Last reviewed: 14.06.2024
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The higher the blood sugar levels in pregnant women when they are initially diagnosed with diabetes, the higher the risk of complications during and after childbirth, according to a study presented at the 26th European Congress of Endocrinology, held May 11–14 in Stockholm.
For every 5 mg/dL increase in sugar levels above the diagnostic threshold, the risk of low blood sugar in newborns or high birth weight increases by 9% and 6%, respectively, while mothers' risk of developing diabetes after childbirth increases by 31%. These findings suggest that women at high risk of developing gestational diabetes should be classified in more detail to limit these complications for mothers and newborns.
Gestational diabetes is a condition in which women have high blood sugar or glucose levels during pregnancy. It affects approximately 20 million pregnancies worldwide and poses increased health risks to both mothers and their babies. For example, mothers are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and have particularly large babies, who are at high risk of birth trauma or even obesity later in life.
Women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes if their fasting blood glucose level exceeds 92 mg/dL in the first trimester or their 2-hour postprandial glucose level (OGTT) in the second trimester exceeds 153 mg/dL.
In this study, researchers from the Tamega e Sousa Hospital Center in Portugal analyzed data on blood sugar levels and birth complications in 6,927 pregnant women aged 30–37 years who were carrying one child and were diagnosed with gestational diabetes between 2012 to 2017.
Researchers found that for every 5 mg/dL increase in blood sugar, the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and large birth weight (large for gestational age) in newborns increases by 9% and 6%, respectively, and the risk of hyperglycemia in mothers after childbirth increases by 31%.
"While it is not surprising that high glucose levels are associated with these adverse maternal and newborn outcomes, our study is the first to show how the risk increases with each 5 mg/dL increase in maternal blood glucose levels at the initial diagnosis of gestational diabetes," - says study co-author Dr. Catarina Cidade-Rodrigues.
Dr. Cidade-Rodrigues continued: “The magnitude of increased risk can be calculated using our measurements and, in practice, can be used to identify and stratify women at higher risk of developing these complications.”
"We now want to evaluate whether there is benefit in further stratifying these women at high risk of gestational diabetes, who will require more careful monitoring and for whom pharmacological interventions can be carried out accordingly. This may help reduce complications during labor and delivery." newborns and prevent future diabetes in these women."