Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Antenatal Corticosteroid Therapy-A Narrative Review of Fetal and Neonatal Outcomes

Ivana R Babović; Jelena Dotlić; Radmila Sparić; Miljana Z Jovandaric; Mladen Andjić; Mirjana Marjanović Cvjetićanin; Slavica Akšam; Jovan Bila; Lidija Tulić; Dušica Kocijančić Belović; Vera Plešinac; Jovana Plesinac

doi:10.3390/jcm12010323

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Antenatal Corticosteroid Therapy-A Narrative Review of Fetal and Neonatal Outcomes

J Clin Med. 2022 Dec 31;12(1):323. doi: 10.3390/jcm12010323.

Authors

Ivana R Babović^{1

2}, Jelena Dotlić^{1

2}, Radmila Sparić^{1

2}, Miljana Z Jovandaric³, Mladen Andjić¹, Mirjana Marjanović Cvjetićanin^{1

2}, Slavica Akšam^{1

2}, Jovan Bila^{1

2}, Lidija Tulić^{1

2}, Dušica Kocijančić Belović^{1

2}, Vera Plešinac¹, Jovana Plesinac⁴

Affiliations

¹ Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
² Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
³ Department of Neonatology, Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
⁴ University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.

Abstract

Background: There, we review the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), its influence on fetal physiology, and neonatal outcomes, as well as the usage of antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACST) in pregnancies complicated by GDM.

Methods: MEDLINE and PubMed search was performed for the years 1990-2022, using a combination of keywords on such topics. According to the aim of the investigation, appropriate articles were identified and included in this narrative review.

Results: GDM is a multifactorial disease related to unwanted pregnancy course and outcomes. Although GDM has an influence on the fetal cardiovascular and nervous system, especially in preterm neonates, the usage of ACST in pregnancy must be considered taking into account maternal and fetal characteristics.

Conclusions: GDM has no influence on neonatal outcomes after ACST introduction. The ACST usage must be personalized and considered according to its gestational age-specific effects on the developing fetus.

Keywords: antenatal corticosteroids; fetus; gestational diabetes mellitus; glycemia; neonates; preterm birth; respiratory distress syndrome.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.