Incidence and maternal–neonatal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic disorder of pregnancy and a major public health concern because of its adverse effects on both maternal and neonatal outcomes. This prospective observational study was conducted in the obstetrics department of a tertiary care hospital among 200 antenatal women to determine the incidence of GDM and assess its impact on fetomaternal outcomes. All participants were screened at 24–28 weeks of gestation using the oral glucose tolerance test according to standard diagnostic criteria and outcomes were compared between women with GDM and those without GDM. The study focused on complications such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, cesarean delivery, polyhydramnios, macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycaemia, respiratory distress syndrome and NICU admission. Thus, we show the value of universal screening and early intervention in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by GDM.