Pregnant Women With Uncontrolled Diabetes: Common Foetal Anomalies

• ORIGINAL ARTICLE | ISSUE DETAILS: VOL NO.4 | ISSUE NO. 1

Abstract

Introduction: High blood sugar levels during gestation raises the risks of problems in fetal development substantially. Diabetes mellitus poses a major health concern worldwide, with effects spanning pregnancy. Poorly managed blood glucose levels during pregnancy significantly elevate the chances of abnormalities in the baby. While the harmful impacts of a mother's diabetes on the fetus forming are well-established, understanding certain defects and their extents precisely is vital for effective pre-birth care.

Methods: We looked back on medical records from 66 expecting mothers diagnosed with uncontrolled diabetes, involving both pre-existing diabetes and inadequately managed gestational diabetes. Data was gathered from patient visits to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from March 2020 to March 2022. Fetal abnormalities were recognized through pre-birth assessments, focusing on common issues linked to a mother's diabetes.

Results: Among the group of 66 pregnant women with diabetes, the average age was 29.5 years, with 60.6% having pre-existing diabetes and 39.4% diagnosed with gestational diabetes during the pregnancy. Most participants had mild (31.1%) or moderate (25.8%) fetal problems, with a smaller portion classified as severe (15.2%). Noticeably, heart complications topped the defects identified, underscoring a unique weakness in fetal cardiac development to a mother's diabetes.

Conclusion: This retrospective analysis emphasizes the heightened risks of fetal abnormalities tied to uncontrolled diabetes during pregnancy. The prevalence of mild to moderate defects, particularly impacting the heart, stresses the crucial need for vigilant blood sugar management and thorough pre-birth care for women with diabetes. Addressing these challenges demands a multi-pronged approach involving early discovery, specialized monitoring, and tailored interventions to safeguard fetal health and optimize pregnancy outcomes.