Abstract
Author(s): Krystyna Stencel-Gabriel, Anna Woloszczyk, Anna BiaÅoÅczyk, Izabela Jabcon
Introduction. It is well-known that treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) decreases the risk of complications, such as: miscarriage, fetal macrosomia, hypoxia, perinatal injury, hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperbilirubinemia and polycythemia. Due to discrepancies in epidemiological studies, there are constant debates regarding the optimal time of maternal screening for GDM and initiation of therapy. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine if expediting the diagnostic and therapeutic window for gestational diabetes below 24 weeks of gestation could decrease the incidence of pathological hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. Material and methods. We conducted a survey-based study to estimate the incidence of complications in neonates in 2 groups of mothers: with (studied group) and without gestational diabetes (controls). Results. The mean incidence of hyperbilirubinemia was higher in the studied group than in controls, with dominating pathological jaundice. Our analysis did not show any statistically significant differences concerning the incidence of complications and the time of therapeutic interventions (<24 weeks, 24–28 weeks, >29 weeks). Conclusions. The period between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation is an optimal time for therapeutic intervention in gestational diabetes in order to decrease the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia in the postnatal period.