Publication:

Prevalence, clinical presentation and complications of diabetes mellitus in obstetric patients attending a medical college hospital

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) may be present in the patient before the conception or it may appear during pregnancy. Obstetric management shall ensure prevention of diabetic embryopathy and early detection and management of diabetic complications in pregnancy.

Methods A descriptive observational study was undertaken on participants from a Medical College Hospital. The pre-existing medical disorders, blood sugar, routine antenatal investigations, type of delivery, ultrasound findings, complications of delivery, foetal outcome etc. were recorded. The participants were advised diet, exercise and pharmacotherapy. The intranatal and postnatal events were recorded. The results were compared with related literature.

Results The study had total 89 participants. Five participants (5.6%) had abnormal blood sugar values. Out of these, 2 participants were having pregestational DM and 3 were having gestational DM. Although all the participants who had abnormal blood sugar levels required caesarean section, two could not be operated. One participant with gestational DM who did not follow management advice delivered a macerated still born baby after shoulder dystocia. Another participant having gestational DM, who complied strictly as per dietary advice and exercise, could be managed well without insulin and delivered a healthy baby. The requirement of insulin increased in pregnancy in patients with pregestational diabetes.

Conclusions It is essential to ensure compliance on all three pillars of management of diabetes viz. diet, exercise and insulin during pregnancy. Hence health education for diabetes with special emphasis on obstetric care in pregnancy with diabetes should be promoted.