Outcomes of women with gestational diabetes mellitus in Sweden

ObjectiveThe number of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy is increasing around the world and in our region in the south Sweden 1.2% of all pregnant women received the GDM diagnosis in the 90s and now it is about 2.2%. The aim of this study was to compare women with GDM 1995–99 against women with GDM 2012–13 regarding eventual differences in demographics and pregnancy outcome.Study designIn our region in Sweden, all pregnant women are tested for GDM with a 2-h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and the 2-h cut off value for GDM is ≥10.0 mmol/l in capillary plasma glucose. 1995–99 there were 131 women with GDM and their medical journals were compared against the 210 women with GDM during 2012–13. The same screening and diagnostic method was uses during the whole time period.ResultsIn the 2012–13 GDM pregnancies there were more non-Scandinavian women, more women with insulin treatment during pregnancy and a higher frequency of cesarean deliveries compared to 1995. First weight of the women during GDM pregnancy 2012–13 was significantly higher than the weight of women with GDM 1995–99, 71 kg (43–138; n = 201) and 65 kg (43–133; n = 125) (p = 0.008) respectively. However, there was no significant difference in weight of the mother at delivery. Birth weight of the child in GDM pregnancies 1995–99 was 3722.4 g ± 578.2 (n = 109; p = 0.009), and in GDM pregnancies 2012–13 3555.6 g ± 465.8 (n = 162).ConclusionEven though women with GDM 2012–13 weigh more when they start the pregnancy there is no difference in weight at delivery compared to women with GDM 1995–99. This is also reflected on the newborn, that 2012–13 had significantly lower birth weight but with the same gestational length as 1995–1999. We believe that this is due to a more active and intense treatment of women with GDM during pregnancy together with higher frequency of cesarean delivery. Prevention of large infants is crucial to avoid complications during delivery.