Does maternal hypoglycemia during screening glucose assessment identify a pregnancy at-risk for adverse perinatal outcome?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the perinatal outcome in pregnancies with maternal hypoglycemia following a second trimester oral glucose challenge test (GCT).


METHODS
Retrospective case-control study of pregnancies undergoing a second trimester 1-hour oral glucose challenge test (GCT). Hypoglycemic pregnancies (<88 mg/dl) were matched with pregnancies with 1-hour glucoses of >88 mg/dl. Antepartum, intrapartum, and neonatal outcomes were assessed.


RESULTS
Over 29 months, 334 hypoglycemic singleton pregnancies were matched with 334 controls. A greater number of special/neonatal intensive care unit (SCN/NICU) admissions occurred in the hypoglycemic group (48/334 (14.4%) vs 29/334 (8.7%) in the control group) (p=0.02). The SCN/NICU admission rate remained after controlling for maternal hypertension, smoking, and preterm birth (p=0.037). The development of pregnancy-induced hypertension in women with hypoglycemia 24/334 (7.2%) compared with euglycemic women 13/334 (3.9%, p<0.06) was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Admission to SCN/NICU is increased in pregnant women with hypoglycemia following a GCT.
Feinberg
Jeffrey H
JH
Department of Family Practice, Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton, Camp Pendleton, CA, USA.
Magann
Everett F
EF
Morrison
John C
JC
Holman
John R
JR
Polizzotto
Michael J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment