Key anthropometric parameters of newborns born to women with gestational diabetes mellitus under normoglycemic compensation

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for both mother and fetus. Hyperglycemia in gestational diabetes mellitus contributes to fetopathy, macrosomia, and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertensive disorders. Lifestyle modifications in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus can reduce these risks.

Aim: To assess the height and weight parameters of newborns born to women with gestational diabetes mellitus who achieved normoglycemic compensation.

Methods: A total of 119 newborns were assessed; they were born to mothers who had full-term, singleton pregnancies and delivered vaginally in cephalic presentation. To diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus, an oral glucose tolerance test was performed at 24–28 weeks of gestation. The pregnant women and their newborns were divided into two groups: the main group (n=31) with gestational diabetes mellitus confirmed by an endocrinologist based on reference venous plasma glucose levels, and the control group (n=88) with uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries. To assess anthropometric conformity of newborns in the groups, INTERGROWTH-21st centile charts were used. Statistical analysis of the study results was performed using StatSoft software (Russia).

Results: The pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus strictly followed dietary therapy and maintained physical activity, which enabled them to achieve normoglycemic compensation. Deliveries in women with gestational diabetes mellitus occurred at 39–40 weeks, with no significant difference compared with the control group (p >0.05). The mean length of the newborns was assessed in three subgroups (47–50 cm, 51–54 cm, and ≥55 cm). In the first subgroup, the mean length was 48.7 cm in the gestational diabetes mellitus group and 49.6 cm in the group without gestational diabetes mellitus (p >0.05); in the second subgroup, it was 52.1 cm in both groups (p >0.05); and in the third subgroup, it was 56.0 cm and 55.2 cm, respectively (>0.05). Newborn weight was assessed across four subgroups (≤3000 g, 3050–3500 g, 3550–3950 g, ≥4000 g). In the first subgroup, the mean weight was 2790 g (gestational diabetes mellitus) and 2850 g (without gestational diabetes mellitus) (p >0.05); in the second subgroup, it was 3330 g and 3260 g (p >0.05); in the third subgroup, it was 3690 g and 3770 g (p >0.05); and in the fourth subgroup, it was 4110 g and 4120 g (p >0.05), respectively. The head circumference of newborns was 35 [33; 36] cm in the gestational diabetes mellitus group and 34.7 [33; 37] cm in the group without gestational diabetes mellitus (p >0.05).

Conclusion: Adherence to dietary therapy and moderate physical activity enabled normoglycemic compensation in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus without using insulin. No differences were observed in the main anthropometric parameters of newborns from mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus compared with the control group representative of the general population. Term delivery and the absence of perinatal complications requiring early delivery indicate successful compensation of gestational diabetes mellitus.