Gestational diabetes and large for‐gestational age (LGA) infants are common in a multiethnic population of low‐income pregnant women in Montreal.

Abstract

BackgroundPregnancy is a critical period where maternal nutrition and lifestyle choices have major influences on maternal and child health. Low income, prevalent in single parents who tend to be women (19.7%) and recent immigrants (16.4%), increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. These pregnant women may not have resources to afford food, shelter and other necessities and may experience health inequities that impact pregnancy. Community‐based interventions using the Higgins' method aim to improve pregnancy outcomes in low‐income women through education and provision of food and supplements, although its consequences on pregnancy outcomes are not clear.ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to describe frequencies and temporal shifts of adverse pregnancy outcomes between 2008 and 2013 in women attending the Montreal Diet Dispensary.MethodsA retrospective chart review was undertaken to establish the frequency of pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), maternal anemia as well as low birth weight (LBW) and large‐for‐gestational age infants.ResultsBetween 2008 and 2013, 5689 pregnancies were reviewed. Pregnancy complications included 1272 (22%) women with maternal anemia, followed by 683 (12%) and 424 (7%) with GDM and LGA infants, respectively but prematurity (n=231; 4%), LBW (175; 3%), high blood pressure (n=155; 2.7%) and preeclampsia (n=6; 0.001%) were below the general population frequency.ConclusionThese data suggest that prevention of LBW and prematurity are well supported by the Higgins method and outcomes such as GDM and LGA infants need to be addressed in low‐income pregnancies.