OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication defined as a glucose intolerance diagnosis during pregnancy. GDM is strongly associated with adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. In Germany, to screen and diagnose GDM we use a 1 h 50 g oGCT (oral glucose challenge test) followed by a 2 h 75 g oGTT if the first was pathological. This analysis examines the correlation of 75 g oGTT glucose levels and fetomaternal outcome.

METHODS

Data from 1664 patients from a gestational diabetes consultation clinic at the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, Germany, were analyzed retrospectively from 2015 to 2022. The 75 g oGTT blood glucose levels were categorized into isolated fasting hyperglycemia (GDM-IFH), isolated post-load hyperglycemia (GDM-IPH) and combined hyperglycemia (GDM-CH), using the levels of the fasting, 1 h and 2 h values, after glucose application. These subtypes were compared based on their baseline characteristics as well as fetal and maternal outcome.

RESULTS

GDM-IFH and GDM-CH women displayed higher pre-conceptional BMI and required insulin therapy more frequently ( < 0.001). The GDM-IFH group was at higher risk of having a primary cesarean section ( = 0.047), while GDM-IPH women were significantly more likely to have an emergent cesarean section ( = 0.013). The offspring of GDM-IFH and GDM-CH women were born with a significantly higher mean birthweight ( < 0.001) and birth weight percentiles ( < 0.001) and were at increased risk of being large for gestational age (LGA) ( = 0.004). Women from the GDM-IPH group delivered significantly more neonates who were small for gestational age ( = 0.027) or with low fetal weight <30th percentile ( = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

This analysis shows a strong association between the glucose response pattern in the 75 g oGTT and adverse perinatal fetomaternal outcome. The differences among the subgroups, specifically concerning insulin therapy, mode of delivery and fetal growth, suggest an individualized approach to prenatal care after a GDM diagnosis.