title: Glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes in patients with diabetes in pregnancy: A retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) is either pregestational or gestational.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the relationship between glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes in a cohort of DIP patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 12-month retrospective study, a total of 325 Saudi women with DIP who attended the outpatient clinics at a tertiary center Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were included.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients were divided into two groups, those with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≤6.5% (48 mmol/mol) and those with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) above 6.5%. The two groups were compared for differences in maternal and fetal outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Independent Student's t-test and analysis of variance were performed for comparison of continuous variables and Chi-square test for frequencies. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with higher HbA1c were older (P = 0.0077), had significantly higher blood pressure, proteinuria (P < 0.0001), and were multiparous (P = 0.0269). They had significantly shorter gestational periods (P = 0.0002), more preterm labor (P < 0.0001), more perineal tears (P = 0.0406), more miscarriages (P < 0.0001), and more operative deliveries (P < 0.0001). Their babies were significantly of greater weight, had more Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions, hypoglycemia, and macrosomia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poor glycemic control during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes (shortened gestational period, greater risk of miscarriage, increased likelihood of operative delivery, hypoglycemia, macrosomia, and increased NICU admission). Especially at risk are those with preexisting diabetes, who would benefit from earlier diabetes consultation and tighter glycemic control before conception.
authors.affiliation: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Badurudeen Mahmood
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Buhary
authors.affiliation: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ohoud
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Almohareb
authors.affiliation: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Naji
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aljohani
authors.affiliation: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Saad H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Alzahrani
authors.affiliation: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Samer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elkaissi
authors.affiliation: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Suphia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sherbeeni
authors.affiliation: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almaghamsi
authors.affiliation: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mussa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Almalki
keywords: Diabetes in pregnancy; Type 1 diabetes; Type 2 diabetes; gestational diabetes; pregnancy adverse outcomes