A retrospective study to investigate the risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus and its impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Currently, risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we performed a retrospective epidemiologic study to explore the above research objectives.

METHODS

We collected extensive clinical data from January 2020 to June 2023 for 855 maternity cases at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University. Vitamin D deficiency, undergoing assisted reproductive techniques, advanced maternal age (≥35), multiparas, abortion history, pre-pregnancy body mass index (≥25.0), twin pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), family history of diabetes, history of delivering a low-birth-weight infant, and weight gain during gestation of >2 kg per month (mean) as variables that may affect GDM to investigate the risk factors for GDM. In addition, a total of 15 adverse postpartum outcomes (including maternal complications and neonatal complications) were used to explore the adverse effects of maternal comorbidity with GDM. Variables that were significant in the univariate logistic regression model were included in the multivariate logistic regression model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were conducted for the ability to predict the risk of the GDM and its impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes, using variables derived from the multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The results of multivariate logistic regression analyses shown that only multipara was not a risk factor for the development of GDM. Postpartum hemorrhage (blood loss ≥500 ml) and the neonatal Apgar score (≤9) (all P > 0.05) was excluded in the multivariate logistic regression model. According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analyses, the incidence of hypothyroid complications, hyperlipidemic complications, postpartum anemia, gestational hypertension, racket placenta, premature rupture of membranes, fetal malposition, macrosomia (≥4000 g), low-birth-weight infants (<2500 g), prematurity, neonatal infections, neonatal jaundice, and fetal distress was higher in pregnancies with combined GDM (all P < 0.05). The model demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.91, indicating its efficacy in predicting adverse prognostic outcomes associated with maternal GDM.

CONCLUSIONS

It is essential for women of childbearing age to correct vitamin D deficiency as well as to maintain their body mass index within the normal range before preparing for pregnancy. Maternal weight gain needs to be managed appropriately throughout pregnancy, which may reduce the risk of GDM to some extent. Therefore, our results suggest that effective measures to reduce the risk of GDM are essential for both the mother and the newborn.