Effects of strengthened nutritional interventions on pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective To explore the impacts of intensive nutritional intervention on maternal and infant outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM). Methods From January 2014 to ecember 2014, a total of 518 women with GDM were stratified by age, height, body mass index (BMI), and were divided into treatment group (n=258) and control group (n=260) according to the random number generated by the computer software. Women in control group underwent conservative treatment while those in treatment group were given intensive nutritional intervention including keeping records of eating habits, measurement of blood glucose and regular follow-up. The incidence of pregnancy-related complications and newborn outcomes in both groups were compared. Results Women of the two groups were similar in basic clinical data. The range of gestational weight gain (GWG)[(12.2±4.7) vs. (13.9±5.0)kg] and birth weight of infants [(3 406.4±495.4) vs. (3 494.9±484.7)g] in the intervention group was significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The rate of reaching recommended target of GWG was significantly higher in the intervention group (60.9%) than in the control group (51.9%, χ2=4.2,P<0.05). There was a significant reduction in glucose- related parameters in both groups (P<0.01). In the intervention group, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose were reduced from (5.21±0.71) mmol/L, (6.68±0.90) mmol/L to (4.71±0.73) mmol/L, (6.21±0.71) mmol/L (P<0.01), respectively in comparison with the control group, the intervention group had lower incidence of cesarean section (44.6% vs. 53.8%), postpartum hemorrhage (2.3% vs. 6.2%), polyhydramnios (7.8% vs. 13.5%), neonatal hypoglycemia (3.1% vs. 6.5%) and macrosomia (8.1% vs. 13.8%,P<0.05). Conclusions Strengthening nutritional intervention in women with GDM could increase the rate of reaching recommended target of GWG, improve the glucose- related parameters and reduce the incidence rate of pregnancy complications. Key words: Diabetes, gestational; Nutrition therapy; Pregnancy outcome