Marked hyperglycaemia is common following betamethasone administration in women with gestational diabetes (GDM), and may contribute to neonatal hypoglycaemia. Validated protocols to deliver glycaemic stability following betamethasone are lacking. We hypothesized that an intravenous insulin (IVI) protocol for pregnancy-specific glycaemic targets (Pregnancy-IVI) would achieve greater at-target glycaemic control than a generic adult intravenous insulin protocol (Adult-IVI), and may reduce neonatal hypoglycaemia.

A retrospective cohort study of the performance Adult-IVI and Pregnancy-IVI following betamethasone in GDM, sequentially implemented at a tertiary hospital, without change in indication for IVI. Cases were identified by electronic record search. Primary outcome was percentage of on-IVI time with at-target glycaemia [blood glucose level (BGL) 3.8-7 mmol/l]. Secondary outcomes were time with critical hyperglycaemia (BGL > 10 mmol/l), occurrence of maternal hypoglycaemia (BGL < 3.8 mmol/l), and incidence of neonatal hypoglycaemia (BGL ≤ 2.5 mmol/l) if betamethasone was administered within 48 h of birth.

The cohorts comprised 151 women (Adult-IVI n = 86; Pregnancy-IVI n = 65). The primary outcome was 68% time-at-target [95% confidence interval (CI) 64-71%) for Pregnancy-IVI compared with 55% (95% CI 50-60%) for Adult-IVI (P = 0.0002). Critical maternal hyperglycaemia (0% vs. 2%, P = 0.02) and hypoglycaemia (2% vs. 12%, P = 0.02) were both lower with Pregnancy-IVI than Adult-IVI. Neonatal hypoglycaemia was less common after Pregnancy-IVI (29%) than after Adult-IVI (54%, P = 0.03). A multiple logistic regression model adjusting for potential confounders gave an odds ratio for neonatal hypoglycaemia with Pregnancy-IVI of 0.27 (95% CI 0.10-0.76, P = 0.01).

An IVI protocol designed for pregnancy effectively controlled maternal hyperglycaemia following betamethasone administration in GDM. This is the first intervention to show a reduction in betamethasone-associated neonatal hypoglycaemia, linked with optimum maternal glycaemic control.

To describe the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) profiles of type 1 diabetes (T1D) offspring in the early neonatal period and its association with maternal intrapartum glucose control.

A prospective observational study of T1D pregnant women and their neonatal offspring. Women had a CGM sensor inserted 2-3 days before delivery. Infants had a masked CGM sensor inserted as soon as possible after delivery. Maternal glycemic outcomes were time-in-target (70-140 mg/dL [3.9-7.8 mmol/L]), hyperglycemia >140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L), and mean CGM glucose during the 24 h preceding delivery. Neonatal outcomes included lowest recorded blood glucose concentration, and CGM measures (glucose <47 mg/dL [2.6 mmol/L], time-in-target (47-144 mg/dL [2.6-8.0 mmol/L]), glucose standard deviation [SD]) during the first 72 h of life.

Data were available for 16 mother-infant pairs. Mothers had a mean age (SD) 32.3 (4.3) years, T1D duration 17.6 (6.8) years, first antenatal glycated hemoglobin 7.4 (0.8)% (57 [8.5] mmol/mol). In the 24 h preceding delivery, mothers spent mean (SD) 72 (20)% time-in-target (70-140 mg/dL [3.9-7.8 mmol/L]), 19 (15)% time >140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L), and 9 (9)% time <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) with mean (SD) CGM glucose 113 (9) mg/dL (6.3 [0.7] mmol/L). Fifteen infants (93.8%) had ≥1 blood glucose concentration <47 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L), and five had ≥1 blood glucose concentration <18 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L). The mean infant CGM glucose on days 1, 2, and 3 of life was 63 (14), 67 (13), 76 (11) mg/dL (3.5 [0.8], 3.7 [0.7], and 4.2 [0.6] mmol/L). Four infants (25%) spent >50% time with CGM glucose levels <47 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) on day 1.

CGM detected widespread neonatal hypoglycemia, even among mothers with good intrapartum glucose control.

Insulin degludec is an extra-long-acting insulin analog that allows for enhanced efficacy and flexibility in the injection time. However, it is not approved for use during pregnancy. We report the pregnancy outcome and newborn conditions in two women with type 1 diabetes who continued preconception degludec treatment during embryogenesis. No pregnancy complication or congenital neonatal malformation was observed. Both babies presented with hypoglycemia and required neonatal intensive care unit admission. Degludec treatment did not cause adverse effects in the mothers or malformations in the newborns. The observed neonatal complications were probably independent of early pregnancy degludec treatment.

Carbohydrate counting (CC) is a helpful strategy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and the main parameters used in this method are the insulin to carbohydrate ratio (ICR) and the sensitivity factor (SF). Throughout pregnancy, a state of insulin resistance develops. Therefore, we hypothesized that ICR and SF change and our aim was to describe the pattern of modification of these parameters in pregnant women with T1DM on CC.

This study followed 21 women with T1DM throughout pregnancy. Starting ICR was 1:15 and SF was calculated using the formula: 1,500/total daily insulin dose (TDID; for regular insulin) or 1,800/TDID (for ultra-rapid analogs). ICR was adjusted every 1-2 weeks according to self-monitoring of blood glucose. SF was recalculated every 1-2 weeks.

Throughout gestation there was a mean decrease in the ICR in breakfast, lunch and dinner of 8.2 (p < 0.0001), 7.7 (p = 0.003) and 7 (p = 0.005) grams per international units (g/IU), respectively. Mean SF reduction from first to third trimester was 10 mg/dL per IU (mg/dL/IU; p < 0.0001).

Women with T1DM in CC during pregnancy evolve with a progressive reduction in the ICR at every meal (mean of 8.2 g/IU for breakfast, 7.7 g/IU for lunch and 7 g/IU for dinner) and also in the SF (10 mg/dL/IU).

For women with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and gestational diabetes (GDM), poor maternal glycemic control can significantly increase maternal and fetal risk for adverse outcomes. Outpatient medical and nutrition therapy is recommended for all women with diabetes in order to facilitate euglycemia during the antepartum period. Despite intensive outpatient therapy, women with diabetes often require inpatient diabetes management prior to delivery as maternal hyperglycemia can significantly increase neonatal risk of hypoglycemia. Consensus guidelines recommend maternal glucose range of 80-110 mg/dL in labor. The most optimal inpatient strategies for the prevention of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia proximate to delivery remain unclear and will depend upon factors such as maternal diabetes diagnosis, her baseline insulin resistance, duration and route of delivery etc. Low dose intravenous insulin and dextrose protocols are necessary to achieve optimal predelivery glycemic control for women with T1DM and T2DM. For most with GDM however, euglycemia can be maintained without intravenous insulin. Women treated with a subcutaneous insulin pump during the antepartum period represent a unique challenge to labor and delivery staff. Strategies for self-managed subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) use prior to delivery require intensive education and coordination of care with the labor team in order to maintain patient safety. Hospitalization is recommended for most women with diabetes prior to delivery and in the postpartum period despite appropriate outpatient glycemic control. Women with poorly controlled diabetes in any trimester have an increased baseline maternal and fetal risk for adverse outcomes. Common indications for antepartum hospitalization of these women include failed outpatient therapy and/or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Inpatient management of DKA is a significant cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and remains a common indication for hospitalization of the pregnant woman with diabetes. Changes in maternal physiology increase insulin resistance and the risk for DKA. A systematic approach to its management will be reviewed.

Neonatal hypoglycemia is an important consequence for the infant of the mother with diabetes. We have reviewed 24 published papers of various protocols for control of glucose in pregnant diabetic women during labor and delivery including our own published work. A relationship of maternal glucose during labor and neonatal hypoglycemia was sought in 19 of these studies. A significant inverse relationship was found in 10 reports with 3 others showing a similar trend. In all but 1 of these 13 studies the participants had pregestational diabetes. Three of the 6 studies not reporting an inverse relationship involved women with GDM. From this review it appears that the maternal glucose should be maintained between 4.0 and 6.0-7.0 mmol/L during labor. Most women with gestational diabetes, especially if they require <1.0 units/kg/d of insulin, can simply be monitored without intravenous insulin. Our own results demonstrate that a target glucose of 4.0-6.0 mmol/L can be used safely and results in a low rate of neonatal hypoglycemia using an iterative glucose insulin infusion protocol for women with pregestational diabetes and when needed for women with gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is common during pregnancy, and is frequently associated with maternal and perinatal complications. Intensive treatment of hyperglycaemia during pregnancy has been shown to reduce perinatal morbidity. In women with pregestational type 1 or 2 diabetes, hyperglycaemia during labour and delivery is an important factor in the development of neonatal hypoglycaemia. There are no generally accepted recommendations for women with GDM. Recent studies evaluating patients with GDM show that peripartum glucose control can be achieved in these women without the need for insulin use in the majority of cases. Hyperglycaemia during labour is not related with treatment established during pregnancy but rather with non-compliance of endocrinological follow-up. Factors such as ethnic origin, neonatal hypoxaemia, and large for gestational age seem to play an important role in the development of neonatal hypoglycaemia.

An optimized metabolic control during delivery is mandatory to prevent maternal-neonatal complications. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) during delivery in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) added to CSII versus CSII alone.

This was a multicenter observational retrospective study. A standardized protocol, to use CSII throughout pregnancy and delivery, foresaw three different insulin basal rates according to blood glucose level: profile A, the last basal rate in use; profile B, preventive 50% reduction of the last basal rate in use; and profile C, 0.1-0.2 U/h for blood glucose level <70 mg/dL, activated just before anesthesia or at the beginning of active labor. An alternative intravenous protocol (IVP) was given in case of complications and relevant metabolic deterioration. Blood glucose in the target range (70-140 mg/dL) throughout delivery and percentage of activation of the IVP were primary outcomes.

Sixty-five pregnant women with diabetes included in the study (56-86% cesarean section; 9-14% spontaneous/stimulated vaginal delivery). Mean blood glucose level was 102 ± 31 mg/dL at 0 min, 109 ± 42 mg/dL at 30 min, 120 ± 48 mg/dL at 60 min, and 99 ± 34 mg/dL at 24 h. Mean basal rate during delivery was 0.6 ± 0.4 U/h (profile B). Mean capillary blood glucose (CBG) level was lower in the RT-CGM group relative to the CSII-alone group: 80 ± 14 mg/dL versus 111 ± 32 mg/dL at 0 min (P<0.01), 79 ± 11 mg/dL versus 109 ± 42 mg/dL at 30 min (P<0.02), and 98 ± 20 mg/dL versus 125 ± 51 mg/dL at 60 min (difference not significant). Eleven newborns experienced transient neonatal hypoglycemia. None of the women switched to IVP. No major differences were observed according to delivery procedure.

CSII is possible and safe in different types of delivery in selected and educated women. RT-CGM helps to obtain better outcomes in terms of maternal peripartum CBG level.

To analyse first-day-of-life glucose levels in infants of women with gestational diabetes (GDM) and the influence of maternal, gestational and peripartum factors on the development of neonatal hypoglycaemia.

Prospective cohort study including newborns of GDM mothers. Capillary blood glucose (CBG) was measured serially on the first day of life. CBG values were defined as normal (≥ 2.5 mmol/l), mild hypoglycaemia (2.2-2.4 mmol/l), moderate hypoglycaemia (1.6-2.1 mmol/l) and severe hypoglycaemia (<1.6 mmol/l).

One hundred and ninety infants were included: 23 (12.1%) presented mild, 20 (10.5%) moderate and only 5 (2.6%) severe hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemic infants were more frequently large-for-gestational-age (29.3% vs 11.3%, p=0.003), had lower umbilical cord pH (7.28 vs 7.31, p=0.03) and their mothers had more frequently been hyperglycaemic during labour (18.8% vs 8.5%, p=0.04). In multivariate analysis Pakistani origin (OR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.14-7.55) and umbilical cord venous pH (OR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.261-0.99) were significantly and independently associated with hypoglycaemia.

Mild and moderate neonatal hypoglycaemias were common although severe episodes were unusual in infants of women with GDM. Hypoglycaemia is mainly influenced by ethnicity and cord blood pH, although maternal peripartum glycaemic control and large-for-gestational-age condition may also play a role.

Insulin therapy is essential for optimal glycemic control during pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes and is frequently required to optimize control in women with type 2 diabetes. Less commonly, women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) require insulin for glycemic control. However, because of its greater prevalence, GDM is the most common reason for insulin use in pregnancy. The most frequently used insulin regimen in pregnancy is a basal/bolus combination of long- and short-acting insulin preparations. There is no evidence base to support one treatment regimen over another. Therapy should be individualized and based on local expertise.

Cardiac malformations in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) are five times higher than in normal pregnancies. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is the most important growth factor in utero and is predominantly bound by IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1).

To examine the echocardiographic findings of neonates of diabetic mothers and the relationship with cord blood IGF-I and IGBP-1.

This study was conducted on 69 neonates born to diabetic mothers who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, Ain Shams University Hospitals between August 2007 and February 2008. They were classified into three groups: 20 small for gestational age, 25 appropriate for gestational age, and 24 large for gestational age. Neonates were subjected to thorough clinical examination and echocardiographic evaluation. Maternal hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and cord blood IGF-I and IGBP-1 were assessed.

Thirty neonates (43.5%) had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); all of them were infants of suboptimally controlled diabetic mothers (HbA1c ≥ 7) with positive correlation between HbA1c and interventricular septal (IVS) thickness. Impaired left ventricular contractility was recorded in 52 IDMs (75.4%). The echocardiographic and laboratory measurements showed significant difference between the three studied groups. Cardiac morphological data were negatively correlated to IGFBP-1 and positively correlated to IGF-I and birth weight.

The opposing relationships between cord blood IGF-I and IGFBP-1 on the cardiac morphological measurements supporting their putative opposing roles in HCM seen in IDMs. Birth weight is the best predictor of hypertrophied IVS especially in infants born to suboptimally controlled diabetic mothers.

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy is an opportunity for women at risk for complications during pregnancy and beyond to change their life course to improve outcomes for themselves and their offspring. Providers of diabetes care during pregnancy complicated by hyperglycemia in pregnancy have the unique opportunity to make a significant difference.

A population-based record linkage case cohort of 239,995 births, to 119,214 women, born in Western Australia from 1980 to 2001 inclusive, was used to measure the recording of selected indicators of maternal health (current and prior) during pregnancy. We compared records of women with singleton pregnancies with that in twin pregnancies Mothers of first- and second-born singletons (n = 117,647) were compared with women with a first-born singleton followed by twins (n = 1,567). Binary indicators were used to calculate population prevalence of medical conditions, pregnancy complications and birth outcomes. Infant outcomes included stillbirth, low birthweight, preterm birth and birth defects. Women with twins were significantly older and taller, with similar rates of medical conditions and pregnancy complications during first singleton pregnancies compared with women with two consecutive singletons. However, during their second pregnancy, women with twins had significantly higher rates of essential hypertension, pre-eclampsia, threatened abortion, premature rupture of the membranes and ante partum hemorrhage with abruption than women with singletons. For both groups, maternal conditions in the first pregnancy were underreported in the second pregnancy, including diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, chronic renal dysfunction and essential hypertension. At the second birth, twins were 3 times more likely to be stillborn, 17 times more likely to be low birthweight and 4 times more likely to be delivered preterm compared with singletons. This research demonstrates the importance for epidemiologists and others, of having access to a complete maternal medical history for analyses of risks associated with maternal, infant and childhood morbidity.

Gestational diabetes affects 3 to 5% of pregnancies in the United Kingdom, contributing to significant maternal and fetal morbidity. Understanding the pathophysiology is important as it guides diagnostic screening and treatment. The insulin resistance of normal pregnancy facilitates provision of metabolic substrates to the fetus and is multifactorial in origin. Recent identification of hepatic and skeletal muscle lipid deposition in Type 2 diabetics, demonstrated by novel magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques, is likely to be the underlying cause of pathological insulin resistance. Similar mechanisms almost certainly underlie gestational diabetes, although further studies are required to prove this. Women who develop gestational diabetes have demonstrable insulin resistance prior to pregnancy that is part of a chronic process of lipid accumulation ultimately leading to type 2 diabetes later in life. The importance of lifestyle advice and dietary modification and the rationale behind the use of metformin are thus explained.

We sought to evaluate intrapartum metabolic control in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients and maternal factors influencing intrapartum glycemic control and neonatal hypoglycemia risk.

A prospective observational study included 129 women with GDM admitted for delivery. Data collected included maternal intrapartum capillary blood glucose (CBG) and ketonemia, use of insulin, and neonatal hypoglycemia.

In all, 86% of maternal intrapartum CBG values fell within target range (3.3-7.2 mmol/L) without need for insulin use. There were no cases of maternal hypoglycemia or severe ketosis. Intrapartum CBG >7.2 mmol/L was associated with third-trimester glycated hemoglobin (P = .02) and lack of endocrinologic follow-up (P = .04). Risk of neonatal hypoglycemia was related with pregnancy insulin use compared with dietary control (60.5% vs 29.5%; P = .02).

Peripartum metabolic control in GDM patients was achieved without insulin in most cases. Intrapartum glycemic control was related with third-trimester glycated hemoglobin and with no endocrinologic follow-up. Neonatal hypoglycemia was associated with insulin use during pregnancy.

To determine how the frequency, timing and magnitude of hyperglycemia are associated with large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants in pregnancies complicated by type 1 diabetes.

Charts from pregnant women with type 1 diabetes (n = 70) were reviewed. Indices of maternal glycemic control were determined for seven gestational periods (weeks 7-10, 11-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-28, 29-32 and 33-38) and compared between women who delivered LGA infants and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants.

Of the 70 pregnancies, 57% of the infants were LGA (4.3 +/- 0.4 kg) and 43% were AGA (3.2 +/- 0.4 kg). Total maternal weight gain and rate of weight gain were significantly higher in mothers with LGA infants. The glycemic variables associated with an LGA infant were percentage of preprandial values above target for weeks 11-15, 25-28 and 29-32, and percentage of all values above target for weeks 33-38. For the entire pregnancy, the strongest predictors of an LGA infant were percentage of preprandial blood glucose values above target during weeks 29-32 and maternal weight gain.

In pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, frequent episodes of preprandial hyperglycemia in the third trimester significantly impact the development of LGA infants.

Fetal macrosomia is a feature of all subtypes of maternal diabetes. The intrauterine time course of development of macrosomia in type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes (GDM) could identify the times of more rapid growth, which differ as a result of different influences in subtypes of diabetes. Higher maternal weight in type 2 and GDM may be expected to contribute to macrosomia and the blood glucose control will exert an additional influence. Information was collected prospectively on 217 pregnancies in insulin-treated women at a single centre over a six-year period. All women were managed by a single team of obstetricians and diabetologists at a Joint Obstetric Medical Clinic. The rate of increase in abdominal circumference from 28 weeks was identical in each subtype of diabetes and there were no differences between subtypes at the earliest gestation assessed. Use of customized growth centiles showed rates of macrosomia to be similar in type 1, type 2 and GDM (43.0%, 50.0% and 41.8%, respectively). The intrauterine time course to macrosomia is similar in type 1, type 2 and GDM. The relationship of macrosomia to extent of elevation of mean blood glucose control is weak, implying a low threshold for maximal effect on the rate of fetal growth.

It has been demonstrated previously that endothelium-dependent vasodilatation is impaired in myometrial arteries from women with gestational diabetes, which may play a role in mediating complications observed in diabetic pregnancies. It is not known which aspects of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation are impaired, thus a mouse model of pregnancy complicated by streptozotocin-induced diabetes was established to investigate underlying mechanisms. Uterine arteries from term-pregnant, diabetic and control C57Bl6/J mice were assessed using acetylcholine (ACh; 10(-10)-10(-5)M) in the presence or absence of a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor (L-NNA; 10(-5)M), a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor (indomethacin; 10(-5)M) or the two in combination. Sensitivity to ACh was comparable between diabetic and control mice. However, the contribution of endothelium-dependent vasodilators was significantly altered. L-NNA significantly inhibited the relaxation of arteries from diabetic compared to control mice (65+/-11% vs 18+/-6%; p<.05). L-NNA and indomethacin significantly inhibited the relaxation of arteries from diabetic mice compared to control (87+/-5% vs 33+/-14%; p<0.05). These data indicate that endothelium-dependent relaxation of the uterine artery of control, pregnant mice was largely mediated by the non-NO/non-COX component. Surprisingly, arteries from diabetic mice were primarily dependent on NO, which may affect compensatory capacity as the disease progresses.

To evaluate a standardized protocol for maintaining near-normoglycaemia during labour and delivery in women with type 1 diabetes.

Over a nine-year period (1997-2005), 229 pregnancies in 174 women with type 1 diabetes were delivered at one centre. The same regimen was used for the induction of labour (group 1) and in women admitted in spontaneous labour (group 2): 10% dextrose (80ml/h) intravenous was given along with short-acting insulin, starting at 1IU/h intravenous via an infusion pump. Capillary blood glucose (CBG) was determined hourly, and the insulin infusion rate was modified accordingly.

Labour was induced in 85 cases (37%) and spontaneous in 23 cases (10%), and an elective C-section was performed in 121 cases (53%). Maternal glycaemia during labour was 6.1+/-1.6 (range: 3.9-9.2)mmol/l in group 1, and 6.9+/-2.0 (range: 4.7-12.0)mmol/l in group 2. Maternal glycaemia at delivery was 5.8+/-1.5 (range: 3.4-9.4) and 6.3+/-1.9 (range: 4.1-11.4)mmol/l in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Women who underwent an elective C-section were not included in the standardized protocol and had higher glycaemia at delivery 7.1+/-2.0 (range: 2.7-13.5)mmol/l. Neonatal hypoglycaemia occurred in 30 infants (13%), and was only associated with preterm delivery.

Using a standardized simple protocol during labour, maternal glycaemia was maintained within a near-normal range in 80-85% of cases.

Pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) represents glucose intolerance that begins before pregnancy and is followed by the increased risk of neonatal and maternal complications. The aim of this study was to establish neonatal outcome in pregnancies with pregestational diabetes mellitus and the factors that had influence on it.

This study included 27 pregnant women with insulin-dependant PGDM hospitalized during 2004 in the Institute for Obstretics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade. The control group consisted of 2 292 healthy pregnant women presented to the Institute within 2004.

Twenty-three (85%) infants of the women with PGDM had complications in comparison with 356 (15.5%) infants of the women in the control group, that was statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Macrosomia was present in 8 (29.6%/0) and birth injuries in 6 (22.2%) infants of women with PGDM that was statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in comparisom with the women in the control group who had 194 (8.5%) infants with macrosomia and 156 (6.8%) infants with birth injuries. The women with PGDM had 3 (11.1%) neonatal deaths and 3 (11.1%) infants were born with congenital malformations in comparison with the women in the control group without these complications. We established statisticaly significant correlation (p < 0.001) between glicoregulation before and during pregnancy in the women with PGDM and neonatal outcome.

The incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the women with PGDM was significantely more frequent as compared with the normal population. Achieving optimal maternal glucose levels in women with PGDM both preconceptionally and during pregnancy is associated with significant reduction of neonatal complications.

Assess efficacy of intrapartum intravenous (i.v.) insulin and effect of antepartum and intrapartum diabetic control on various measures of clinical neonatal hypoglycemia.

Retrospective chart review.

Regional Diabetes in Pregnancy Clinic.

Maternal hypoglycemia occurred intrapartum in 56% of subjects. Mean delivery blood glucose with intravenous insulin use was 6.7mmol/l. Capillary blood glucose <2.2mmol/l occurred in 69% of neonates and 44% received intravenous glucose. Maternal delivery glucose >6.5mmol/l correlated with occurrence of neonatal glucose <2.2mmol/l but not requirement for i.v. glucose or NICU admission. A third trimester HbA1c >6.5% had a stronger association with NICU admission and i.v. glucose requirement.

Blood glucose at delivery >6.5mmol/l predicts neonatal hypoglycemia but does not correlate with severity. Chronic maternal hyperglycemia, reflected by pre-delivery HbA1c, predicts severe fetal hyperinsulinism and requirement for aggressive intervention. This stresses the importance of a target third trimester HbA1c of <6.5%.

To determine which maternal glycaemic parameters in type 1 diabetes better predict large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants.

Maternal glycaemic parameters (mean overall, preprandial, and postprandial glucose; the percentage of glucose readings above and below target and HbA1c levels) of LGA (n=37) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (n=36) infants were compared during preconception and each trimester of pregnancy. Logistic regression was used to select predictive variables.

Preconception glycaemic parameters were not different. Mean glucose and the percentage of glucose readings above target were higher in mothers of LGA infants in every trimester of pregnancy. Second and third trimesters mean postprandial glucose, third trimester mean preprandial glucose and third trimester HbA1c were also higher. Only third trimester glycaemic variables were risk indicators of LGA infants: mean glucose (OR: 3.45; 95% CI: 1.52-7.80), mean preprandial glucose (OR: 2.97; 95% CI: 1.34-6.60), mean postprandial glucose (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.19-3.67) and the percentage of glucose readings above target (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03-1.14). The percentage of glucose readings above target was the best risk indicator.

Third trimester glycaemic parameters are more powerful predictors of foetal growth than glycaemic parameters earlier in pregnancy or during preconception. Hyperglycaemic excursions are the strongest predictor of LGA infants.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether continuous insulin infusion provides a greater degree of intrapartum maternal glycemic control than rotating between glucose and non-glucose containing intravenous fluids.

Laboring patients with pregestational or gestational diabetes were recruited and randomized to an "insulin drip" or "rotating fluids" protocol. The primary outcome measure was mean maternal capillary blood glucose (CBG) levels (mg/dL). Power analysis indicated that 16 patients were needed in each arm to find a difference of 10 mg/dL.

Fifteen patients were randomized to the rotating fluids protocol and 21 patients to an insulin drip. There was no difference in mean intrapartum maternal CBG levels (103.9 +/- 8.7 mg/dL and 103.2 +/- 17.9 mg/dL in the rotating fluids and insulin drip group, respectively, P = .89). Neonatal outcomes were also similar between the 2 treatment groups.

In patients with insulin requiring gestational diabetes, intrapartum glycemic control may be comparable with a standard adjusted insulin drip or a rotation of intravenous fluids between glucose and non-glucose containing fluids.

After birth, the neonate must make a transition from the assured continuous transplacental supply of glucose to a variable fat-based fuel economy. The normal infant born at term accomplishes this transition through a series of well-coordinated metabolic and hormonal adaptive changes. The patterns of adaptation in the preterm infant and the baby born after intrauterine growth restriction are, however, different to that of a full-term neonate, with the risk for former groups that there will be impaired counter-regulatory ketogenesis. There is much less precise linkage of neonatal insulin secretion to prevailing blood glucose concentrations. These patterns of metabolic adaptation are further influenced by feeding practices.

Assessment of neonatal glycaemic status requires accurate and reliable measurement of blood glucose concentrations. Most point-of-care technologies are, however, unsuitable for use in neonates. Although the definition of hypoglycaemia remains elusive, current knowledge allows adoption of pragmatic threshold blood glucose concentrations when clinical intervention should be considered. The vast majority of instances of neonatal hypoglycaemia are due to problems with the normal processes of metabolic adaptation after birth, and strategies to enhance the normal adaptive processes should help prevent such episodes. Further investigations and specific interventions should be considered when hypoglycaemia is of unusual severity or occurs in an otherwise low-risk infant.

Despite significantly increased input from multidisciplinary teams during the antenatal period, pregnancy outcomes for women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes remain substantially worse than that of the general obstetric population. Regarding fetal congenital malformations, these are likely to be preventable only by strategies introduced prior to pregnancy. The relationship between fetal macrosomia and glycaemic control is complex, and reducing the incidence of macrosomia may be possible only by novel management strategies that address the wide fluctuations in blood glucose over a 24-hour period. Irrespective of pregnancy diabetes control, the complication of neonatal hypoglycaemia can largely be avoided by tight control of glucose values during labour and delivery. The continued lack of understanding of the pathophysiology of late fetal death in diabetic pregnancies and the shortcomings of current methods of antenatal fetal surveillance make it likely that infants of diabetic mothers will continue to be delivered preterm, with the attendant implications of neonatal morbidity and cost.

Autoimmune diseases are most common and most active in young women; it is therefore not uncommon for obstetricians and physicians to encounter pregnant women with these conditions, and knowledge of the potential maternal, foetal and neonatal complications is essential for good clinical management. The most common maternal autoimmune endocrine conditions in pregnancy are insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease. Other relatively common non-endocrine autoimmune conditions include systemic lupus erythematosus and anti-phospholipid syndrome. Much rarer autoimmune conditions include autoimmune thrombocytopenia, rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis and Addison's disease. In this chapter, we discuss autoimmune endocrine conditions and briefly mention some non-endocrine conditions of particular importance.

This article reviews normal and abnormal carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy, with an emphasis on the challenges that are faced by those who care for the pregnant woman who has hyperglycemia. The growing problem of type 2 diabetes in pregnancy, the controversial use of oral antihyperglycemic agents for the treatment of gestational diabetes, and the long-term issue of diabetes prevention in those whose hyperglycemia resolves postpartum are also addressed.

To detect differences in growth profiles of fetuses of type 1 diabetic mothers, aiming at finding when growth acceleration happens in large-for-gestational-age (LGA) fetuses at birth as compared with appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) fetuses and the relationship between growth profile and diabetic control throughout pregnancy.

Ninety-eight mother-infant pairs with well-controlled insulin-dependent diabetes were included. The fetal abdominal circumference was measured every 3 weeks by ultrasound between 20 and 36 weeks' gestation. Metabolic control was evaluated by monthly measurement of glycated haemoglobin concentration and weekly measurement of the capillary blood glucose levels.

A significant difference in fetal abdominal circumference was detected at 24 weeks. The fetuses in both the LGA and the AGA groups were able to maintain their growth profile (i.e., accelerated or normal growth) throughout pregnancy. The parameters of glucose control were similar for both groups at any gestational age.

Fetal growth acceleration is identifiable by ultrasound at about 24 weeks. 'Normal' parameters of glucose control during the 1st trimester and throughout pregnancy do not seem to be related to the growth potential of the LGA fetus of a diabetic mother. Fluctuations in glucose levels rather than basal levels are probably more determinant in fetal growth acceleration.

To investigate maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies in women with type 1 diabetes in the Netherlands.

Nationwide prospective cohort study.

All 118 hospitals in the Netherlands.

323 women with type 1 diabetes who became pregnant between 1 April 1999 and 1 April 2000.

Maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes of pregnancy.

84% (n = 271) of the pregnancies were planned. Glycaemic control early in pregnancy was good in most women (HbA(1c) < or = 7.0% in 75% (n = 212) of the population), and folic acid supplementation was adequate in 70% (n = 226). 314 pregnancies that went beyond 24 weeks' gestation resulted in 324 infants. The rates of pre-eclampsia (40; 12.7%), preterm delivery (101; 32.2%), caesarean section (139; 44.3%), maternal mortality (2; 0.6%), congenital malformations (29; 8.8%), perinatal mortality (9; 2.8%), and macrosomia (146; 45.1%) were considerably higher than in the general population. Neonatal morbidity (one or more complications) was extremely high (260; 80.2%). The incidence of major congenital malformations was significantly lower in planned pregnancies than in unplanned pregnancies (4.2% (n = 11) v 12.2% (n = 6); relative risk 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.13 to 0.88).

Despite a high frequency of planned pregnancies, resulting in overall good glycaemic control (early) in pregnancy and a high rate of adequate use of folic acid, maternal and perinatal complications were still increased in women with type 1 diabetes. Neonatal morbidity, especially hypoglycaemia, was also extremely high. Near optimal maternal glycaemic control (HbA1c < or = 7.0%) apparently is not good enough.