Anthropometric data, fetal and neonatal complications in infants of diabetic mothers. Results of a 10-year retrospective study

Introduction: Disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism during pregnancy may result in harmful fetal and neonatal consequences. Objectives: To assess the fetal and neonatal complications of pregnancy in mothers with gestational and pregestational diabetes during a 10-year period in a county hospital in Hungary. Methods: Retrospective analysis of infants of diabetic mothers admitted to the neonatal unit between 2001 and 2010. Results: 32% of the infants were transferred to the neonatal unit. Neonatal macrosomia (birth weight >90 centile) was observed in one quarter of the infants. 39% of the infants developed hypoglycemia (blood glucose <2.6 mmol/l), in the majority of the cases within the first 8 hours. Hypoglycaemia was symptomatic in 55% of the infants. Hypocalcemia was observed in 17%, hyperviscosity in 23%, hyperbilirubinaemia in 32%, respiratory distress syndrome and/or transient tachypnoe in 22% and cardiac complications in 13% of the infants. 10% of the inafnts were affected with birth injuries. Congenital anomalies were seen in 17% of the cases, and severe malformations were present in 4% of the infants. Conclusions: Despite modern diabetes management, there is still a higher incidence of fetal macrosomia, adverse neonatal outcomes and a higher rate of severe congenital malformations in neonates of diabetic mothers. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 172–177.