Incidence of adverse outcomes associated with gestational diabetes mellitus in low- and middle-income countries

BackgroundThe contribution of medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus to maternal and neonatal ill-health in low- and middle-income countries is not well documented.ObjectivesTo ascertain the incidence of adverse outcomes associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in these countries.Search strategyElectronic databases were searched between 1990 and 2011.Selection criteriaObservational, experimental, and quasi-experimental studies reporting adverse outcomes associated with GDM in mothers and their infants in low- and middle-income countries were included.Data collection and analysisTitles and abstracts were screened, and full-text articles were independently assessed by at least 2 reviewers. Characteristics of studies were tabulated and quality assessment performed. Median and interquartile range (IQR) were computed for each adverse outcome.Main results25 articles were included from an initial 1282 citations. High median incidences of cesarean (43.8%; IQR, 34.9%–65.9%), neonatal jaundice (17.1%; IQR, 8.5%–22.9%), and macrosomia (17.0%; IQR, 8.3%–32.5%) were reported in women with GDM.ConclusionsThe high incidence of some complications of GDM is a concern and may indicate poorer care for women with GDM in low-resource settings. The wide IQRs found indicate uncertainty about the burden of GDM in these settings.