Pregnancy outcome in pre-gestational and gestational diabetic women: a prospective observational study

Background: India is considered the world capital of diabetes, proper care and management of the same is the demand of society. The present study is carried out to identify the disease burden of GDM/ overt DM among antenatal cases. The main objective was to study the maternal and fetal outcome of diabetes complicating pregnancy.Methods: The present study was conducted at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College at Tanda, District KangraHP from October 2015 to September 2016. All antenatal cases were screened for diabetes by OGTT 75 gm, 2-hour blood glucose level as per DIPSI guidelines and labelled as GDM/ overt DM. Those who fulfilled selection criteria were enrolled in the study. A total of 6452 cases who attended antenatal clinic during the study duration and were screened were selected for the study. 116 cases were found to have GDM / overt DM. Seventy-nine had GDM with OGTT>140 mg/dl (DIPSI guidelines) and 37 had overt DM with 2 hours PP >200 mg/dl (WHO criteria). Total 100 cases comprised of study group were followed till delivery to study maternal and fetal outcome.Results: The prevalence of diabetes in pregnancy was found to be low 1.79%. GDM was found to be more prevalent than overt diabetes in pregnant women (66% versus 34%). Among the antenatal maternal complications observed missed abortion (11.8% versus 1.55; p=0.026), polyhydraminos (26.4% versus 10.6%; p=0.04) and preterm labour (17.6% versus 4.5%; p=0.003) were significantly more common in overt diabetics than GDM cases. IUFD (8.8% versus 0; p=0.014) was also significantly more common in overt diabetics than GDM case. RDS was found significantly higher in neonates of overt diabetics as compared to GDM mothers (14.7 % versus 1.5%; p=0.009).Conclusions: Early detection and good glycemia control by MNT and insulin, regular antenatal check-ups, patient counselling and compliance, intrapartum fetal monitoring and early neonatal care are keys to improved outcome.

Enigma of maternity service safety improvements and increasing expression of patient dissatisfaction

There have been gradual and continual improvements in maternity care in the UK. This has been paradoxically accompanied by increasing censure by authorities for adverse outcomes and public expression of dissatisfaction. Serious maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes have a devastating effect. Grieving families need an honest explanation, continued support and reassurance that lessons are being sought and learnt. Additionally, the public would welcome the acknowledgement of limitations of healthcare and the science itself; and that the adverse outcomes can be minimised but not eradicated. Blame culture is harmful to the clinicians, healthcare system and, ultimately, patients. The controversial issue of intrapartum fetal monitoring best illustrates the urgent need to reform mistaken science in addition to organisational and cultural improvements. Most enquiries do not critique bad science or guidelines but only birth attendants. The healthcare outcomes must continue to improve through investigations, reviews, openness, medical progress and by helping the clinicians to mitigate the limitations of scientific knowledge, resources and human factors.

Possibilities of intrapartum fetal monitoring at the present stage

The intrapartum period is one of the most crucial stages for both the mother and the fetus. During the delivery process, complications can develop that lead to a deterioration in the condition of the fetus and threaten his life. Therefore, the outcome of labor depends on the effectiveness of fetal monitoring. The aim of this study was to define the possibilities of intrapartum fetal monitoring at the present stage of research. We systematically analyzed and summarized the literature data of foreign and domestic authors for the period from 1997 to 2020. An integrated approach to assessing intrapartum fetal status will optimize the management of labor, which will improve perinatal outcomes in the future.