Adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with an increased risk of postpartum prediabetes and diabetes in Chinese women with gestational diabetes

Abstract

Aims: To explore associations between adverse pregnancy outcomes and risk of postpartum diabetes and prediabetes among Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A total of 507 women with GDM who participated in a randomized controlled trial were successfully followed up at a median of 9.1 (interquartile range: 7.7-11.3) weeks after delivery and underwent a 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test. GDM was diagnosed according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group's criteria. Postpartum diabetes and prediabetes were defined by the World Health Organization's. Generalized logit model was used to obtain odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of adverse pregnancy outcomes for postpartum diabetes, prediabetes and abnormal glucose regulation (AGR).

Results: Of 507 women with GDM, 3.7% (19) women developed postpartum diabetes, 35.1% (178) women developed postpartum prediabetes. Preterm birth was associated with increased risk of postpartum prediabetes and AGR (adjusted OR: 3.24, 95%CI: 1.48-7.07 & 3.16, 1.46-6.85). Low birth weight was associated with the risk of postpartum prediabetes, diabetes and AGR (adjusted OR: 2.78, 95%CI: 1.13-6.86; 5.21, 1.13-24.02 & 2.99, 1.24-7.21).

Conclusions: Preterm birth and low birth weight were predictive of postpartum prediabetes, diabetes or AGR in Chinese women with GDM.

Keywords: Adverse pregnancy outcomes; Diabetes; Gestational diabetes; Postpartum; Prediabetes.