Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk of both neonatal and maternal morbidity. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the frequency of perinatal complications due to GDM in the Department of Neonatology at the Medical University of Wroclaw, Poland, considering the treatment of GDM-diet and physical activity versus insulin therapy. The influence of maternal comorbidities and the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnancy outcomes was assessed. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records was conducted. Statistics were calculated using a range of methods, with p < 0.05 considered significant. A sample of n = 625 mothers with n = 646 newborns were included in this study. RESULTS: The newborns of insulin-treated mothers had cardiovascular defects more often (p < 0.05). A higher prevalence of vaginal infections was found in the diet-treated mothers (p < 0.05), while insulin-treated mothers had a higher prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension, pregnancy-induced hypothyroidism and obesity (p < 0.05). The mode of delivery, maternal age and maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension, obesity and cholestasis were found to influence neonatal outcomes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The maternal management of GDM is not the main determinant of pregnancy outcomes, which might be affected by other maternal comorbidities. Effective initiatives are needed to control GDM, support breastfeeding and prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes.