Blood sugar level at gestational diabetes diagnosis linked to harmful outcomes for mothers and babies: Study

In this study, researchers from the Tâmega e Sousa Hospital Center in Portugal analysed data on blood sugar levels and birth complications of 6,927 pregnant women, aged 30-37 years old, who carried one child and were diagnosed with gestational diabetes between 2012 and 2017. The researchers found that for every 5mg/L increase in their blood sugar levels, there was a 9% higher risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and a 6% higher risk of large birth weight (large for gestational age) in newborns and a 31% higher risk of maternal high blood levels (hyperglycemia) after birth.

“While it is not surprising that high glucose levels are associated with these adverse outcomes in mothers and newborns, our study shows for the first time how much increase in risk there is with 5 mg/dL of increase in the mother’s blood glucose levels when first diagnosed with gestational diabetes,” said co-lead researcher Dr Catarina Cidade-Rodrigues.

Dr Cidade-Rodrigues continued: “The magnitude of elevated risk can be calculated with our measurements and, in practice, could be used to identify and stratify women at higher risk of developing these complications.”

“We now want to evaluate if there is a benefit in further stratifying these high-risk women with gestational diabetes, who will need to be more closely monitored and to whom pharmacological interventions can be carried out appropriately. This may help reduce complications during labour and in newborns and prevent future diabetes in these women.”

Blood sugar level at gestational diabetes diagnosis linked to harmful outcomes for mothers and babies

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European Congress of Endocrinology