Elective delivery in diabetic pregnant women.
BACKGROUND
In pregnancies complicated by diabetes the major concerns during the third trimester are fetal distress and the potential for birth trauma associated with fetal macrosomia.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review was to assess the effect of a policy of elective delivery, as compared to expectant management, in term diabetic pregnant women, on maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.


METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (last searched February 2001).


METHODS
All available randomized controlled trials of elective delivery, either by induction of labour or by elective caesarean section, compared to expectant management in diabetic pregnant women at term.


METHODS
The reports of the only available trial were analysed independently by the three co-reviewers to retrieve data on maternal and perinatal outcomes. Results are expressed as relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).


RESULTS
The participants in the one trial included in this review were 200 insulin-requiring diabetic women. Most had gestational diabetes, except 13 women with type 2 pre-existing diabetes (class B). The trial compared a policy of active induction of labour at 38 completed weeks of pregnancy, to expectant management until 42 weeks. The risk of caesarean section was not statistically different between groups (relative risk (RR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52 - 1.26). The risk of macrosomia was reduced in the active induction group (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32 - 0.98) and three cases of mild shoulder dystocia were reported in the expectant management group. No other perinatal morbidity was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
There is very little evidence to support either elective delivery or expectant management at term in pregnant women with insulin-requiring diabetes. Limited data from a single randomized controlled trial suggest that induction of labour in women with gestational diabetes treated with insulin reduces the risk of macrosomia. Although the small sample size does not permit one to draw conclusions, the risk of maternal or neonatal morbidity was not modified. Women's views on elective delivery and on prolonged surveillance and treatment with insulin should be assessed in future trials.
Boulvain
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Unité de Développement en Obstétrique, Maternité Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Département de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique, Boulevard de la Cluse, 32, Geneva 14, Switzerland, CH-1211. michel.boulvain@hcuge.ch
Stan
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C
Irion
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D002585:Cesarean Section; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007751:Labor, Induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000188:drug therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin