A Queen City Legacy: 45 Years of Research in Pregnant Women with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, The Diabetes in Pregnancy Program Project Grant.

Abstract

The Diabetes in Pregnancy Program Project Grant (PPG) was a 15-year program focused on enhancing the care for women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) during pregnancy and improving the well-being of their offspring. Launched in July 1978 at the University of Cincinnati, the PPG pursued a multifaceted research agenda encompassing basic science, animal and placental studies, and maternal and neonatal clinical trials to understand the physiological and pathophysiological aspects of IDDM during pregnancy. A total of 402 singleton pregnancies in 259 women with IDDM were enrolled prior to 10 weeks gestation over the 15-year period. Of the 402 pregnancies, there were 295 live births, 1 stillbirth, 4 neonatal deaths, and 15 infants were born with major congenital malformations. Central to the program's methodology was the management of diabetes during pregnancy, involving intensive insulin therapy and meticulous monitoring using the cutting-edge technology of the time to achieve glycemic control. The extensive research of the PPG yielded profound insights into the effects of maternal diabetes on embryonic and fetal development and neonatal health. Through animal studies, notably using pregnant sheep, the program clarified the mechanisms of fetal hypoxia and metabolic disorders. Clinical trials underscored the significance of early glycemic control in mitigating the risks of spontaneous abortions, congenital malformations, and neonatal complications. The program also examined the influence of pregnancy on the progression of microvascular diseases, the role of maternal weight and weight gain in pregnancy outcomes, and the distinctive growth patterns of fetuses in IDDM pregnancies. Furthermore, the PPG probed the incidence and underlying mechanisms of hypoglycemia during pregnancy and the heightened risk of obstetric complications in IDDM patients. Our findings established a foundation of knowledge to aid clinicians, researchers, and health care providers in best practices and ensure a lasting impact on the care of pregnant women with pregestational diabetes. KEY POINTS: · Prepregnancy management reduces maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications in IDDM.. · Strict glycemic control improves many pregnancy outcomes in IDDM.. · Fetal glycemic exposure may have lifelong effects..