Well-managed gestational diabetes mellitus is no longer a risk factor for neonatal RDS — a case-control study
Abstract Abstract BACKGROUND Diabetes in pregnancy used to be considered associated with a higher risk of respiratory distress syndrome(RDS) in neonates. However, as antenatal examinations have improved, whether well-managed gestational diabetes remains an independent risk factor is unclear. This study was to determine the associations of well-managed gestational diabetes with morbidity and complications of RDS. Method This was a case-control study conducted at the Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. We collected data from 101 RDS infants and 101 RDS infants from among 1749 infants, through a standardized protocol with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Assessment of diabetes management was based on HbA1c and random blood glucose measurements. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR). An intergroup analysis was conducted between RDS infants and those without RDS, and a subgroup analysis was conducted between RDS neonates born to women with gestational diabetes and those born to women without gestational diabetes. RESULTS The mean (±SD) gestational age of the RDS infants was 35.9 (1.9) weeks, which was similar to that of the non-RDS infants (35.7 (±1.3) weeks). The HbA1c levels at diabetes diagnosed, the HbA1c levels right before delivery and the RBG levels before delivery had no significant differences, and all of them were below a well-controlled level. In the intergroup analysis, the morbidity of gestational diabetes between the two groups showed no significant differences in the adjusted analyses (adjusted OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.59-3.36). However, the case group had significantly more placental abnormalities (adjusted OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.63-8.00), fetal distress (adjusted OR 4.20, 95% CI 1.87-9.46), and asphyxia (adjusted OR 3.74, 95% CI 1.59-8.81) than the control group. In the subgroup analysis, the total dose of the PS applications, incidence of complications, and need for respiratory support (total and separate) were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Well managed gestational diabetes is no longer a significant risk factor for RDS, while acute or chronic ischemia factors are. With regards to most GDM, diet and exercise are sufficient for maintaining an HbA1c below 6.5%