Association between Foetal Growth and Different Maternal Metabolic Characteristics in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract: Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the association between foetal growth and different maternal metabolic characteristics in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: The study group included 200 consecutive pregnant women who attended the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Outpatient Department in the period from 02.2006 to 02.2009 with singleton pregnancy and GDM diagnosed following ADA criteria. The following parameters were studied: pre-pregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI), 3-hours 100g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total lipids (TL), total cholesterol (TH), triglycerides (TG), HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels at admission. Neonatal birth weight and the prevalence of being large for gestational age (LGA) was an end-point. Results: We found a significant association between birth weight and pre-pregnancy BMI, HDL-C and birth weight of a large child born previously. Birth weight of a large child born previously was the strongest independent predictor for LGA. The prevalence of LGA (from 27% to 80%) was related to a number of altered maternal characteristics. Conclusion: Pre-pregnancy BMI, HDL-C and birth weight of a large child born previously are the independent predictors for LGA, but results of glucose levels during OGTT are not useful in the prediction of LGA in GDM pregnancies. Probably morefactors and other maternal metabolic parameters than glucose levels during OGTT are responsible for the risk of LGA. Key words: gestational diabetes, LGA, macrosomia, maternal characteristics, OGTT

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus – The Impact оf Maternal Body Mass Index аnd Glycaemic Control оn Baby’s Birth Weight

Abstract: Objectives. To asses the influence of the maternal BMI and glycaemic control in women with GDM on the baby's birth weight (BW). Material and methods: We analysed 180 women with GDM. Macrosomia has been defined as BW > 4000 gm, small for gestational age < 2700 gm and appropriate for gestational age between both. According to the baby´s BW the pregnant women were divided into three groups: group 1 (G1) with BW < 2700 gm (n = 26); group 2 (G2) with BW between 2700 to 4000 gm (n = 117), and group 3 (G3) with BW > 4000 gm (n = 37). We also analysed BMI (kg/m²), HbA1c (%), PPG (mmol/L) and time of delivery (WG). Results: Comparisons between G1 and G2 showed: BMI (30.7 ± 5 & 31 ± 5.2; p < 0.7), HbA1c (6.4 ± 0.8 & 5.1 ± 0.8, p < 0.002), PPG (8.2 ± 1.7 & 6.9 ± 1.5, p < 0.02), time of delivery (35.2 ± 3.8 & 38.6 ± 1.5, p < 0.0001) and BW (2289 ± 504 & 3474 ± 334, p < 0.0001). Comparisons between G2 and G3 showed: BMI (31 ± 5. 2 & 33.4 ± 6.1; p < 0.02), HbA1c (5.2 ± 1.1 & 6.4 ± 2.3, p < 0.02), PPG (6.9 ± 1.5 & 8.2 ± 1.9, p < 0.02), time of delivery (38.6 ± 1.5 & 39.3 ± 1.4, p < 0.01) and BW (3474 ± 334 & 4431 ± 302, p < 0.0001). Comparisons between G1 and G3 showed the difference at delivery time and the baby's BW (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Maternal obesity and PPG contribute to macrosomia and also PPG to SGE. Key words: gestational diabetes, large for gestational age, small for gestational age, birth weight, postprandial glycaemia

Hypertensive disorders in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy: insights from the ESC EORP PPCM Registry

Aims: Hypertensive disorders occur in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). How often hypertensive disorders co-exist, and to what extent they impact outcomes, is less clear. We describe differences in phenotype and outcomes in women with PPCM with and without hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Methods: The European Society of Cardiology PPCM Registry enrolled women with PPCM from 2012-2018. Three groups were examined: 1) women without hypertension (‘PPCM-noHTN’); 2) women with hypertension but without pre-eclampsia (‘PPCM-HTN’); 3) women with pre-eclampsia (‘PPCM-PE’). Maternal (6-month) and neonatal outcomes were compared. Results: Of 735 women included, 452 (61.5%) had PPCM-noHTN, 99 (13.5%) had PPCM-HTN and 184 (25.0%) had PPCM-PE. Compared to women with PPCM-noHTN, women with PPCM-PE had more severe symptoms (NYHA IV in 44.4% and 29.9%, p&lt;0.001), more frequent signs of heart failure (pulmonary rales in 70.7% and 55.4%, p=0.002), higher baseline LVEF (32.7% and 30.7%, p=0.005) and smaller left ventricular end diastolic diameter (57.4mm [±6.7] and 59.8mm [±8.1], p&lt;0.001). There were no differences in the frequencies of death from any cause, re-hospitalization for any cause, stroke, or thromboembolic events. Compared to women with PPCM-noHTN, women with PPCM-PE had a greater likelihood of left ventricular recovery (LVEF≥50%) (adjusted OR 2.08 95% CI 1.21-3.57) and an adverse neonatal outcome (composite of termination, miscarriage, low birth weight or neonatal death) (adjusted OR 2.84 95% CI 1.66-4.87). Conclusion: Differences exist in phenotype, recovery of cardiac function and neonatal outcomes according to hypertensive status in women with PPCM