Gestational Diabetes in a High-Risk Population: Perinatal Outcomes with Impaired Fasting Plasma Glucose

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the perinatal outcomes of gestational diabetic patients with normal fasting plasma glucose level < 5.3 mmol/L, versus impaired fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 5.3 mmol/L on 100g oral glucose tolerance results. All gestational diabetic patients enrolled in the study were diagnosed by standard 100g oral glucose blood samples. Based on oral glucose tolerance results, patients were divided into two groups according to the fasting plasma glucose; Group 1 normal fasting plasma glucose < 5.3 mmol/L, and Group 2 impaired fasting plasma glucose ≥ 5.3 mmol/L. During the study period, a total of 292 patients were identified as having gestational diabetes mellitus. One hundred eighty-two (62.3%) were with normal fasting plasma glucose < 5.3 mmol/L and 110 (37.7%) patients had impaired fasting plasma glucose ≥ 5.3 mmol/L. The percentage of total and primary cesarean delivery and the arithmetic means ± SD of all fasting and postprandial plasma glucose measurements were significantly lower in-Group 1 compared with Group 2 patients. Patients with impaired fasting plasma glucose needed more insulin therapy and were associated with a higher rate of cesarean delivery compared to patients with normal fasting plasma glucose who may need ordinary follow-up rather than frequent surveillance.