Movement Behavior during Pregnancy and Adverse Maternal-Fetal Outcomes in Women with Gestational Diabetes: A Pilot Case-Control Study

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major complication in pregnancy. GDM is associated with a higher risk for adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. Associations between movement behavior, including physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB), and maternal-fetal outcomes are still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between movement behavior and adverse maternal-fetal outcomes in women with GDM. A total of 68 women with GDM (20-35 weeks, 32.1 ± 5.8 years) were included in this pilot case-control study. The cases were defined by the presence of an adverse composite maternal-fetal outcome (preterm birth, newborn large for gestational age, and neonatal hypoglycemia). Controls were defined as no adverse maternal-fetal outcome. PA intensities and domains, steps/day (pedometer), and SB were analyzed. A total of 35.3% of participants showed adverse maternal-fetal outcomes (n = 24). The controls showed a higher moderate-intensity PA level than the cases (7.5, 95%CI 3.6-22.9 vs. 3.1, 95%CI 0.4-10.3 MET-h/week; p = 0.04). The moderate-intensity PA level was associated with a lower risk for adverse maternal-fetal outcomes (OR 0.21, 95%CI 0.05-0.91). No significant associations were observed for other PA and SB measures (p > 0.05). In conclusion, moderate-intensity PA during pregnancy seems to have a protective role against adverse maternal-fetal outcomes in women with GDM.