Short-Term Outcomes in Neonates Born to Diabetic Mothers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Descriptive Study.

Abstract

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) negatively affects newborns. Several studies have reported new-onset diabetes associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Multiple pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed to explain the relationship between COVID-19 and glycemic dysregulation in neonates. We assessed neonatal outcomes among mothers with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This retrospective descriptive study included mothers with diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, and GDM) who were COVID-19 positive at least 24 h before delivery and those who were negative, to compare newborn outcomes. The study was conducted at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, from January 2020 to December 2022. Results A total of 669 diabetic mothers were included; 23 were COVID-19 positive at delivery. Sixteen had Type 1, 59 had Type 2, and 572 had GDM. Most managed diabetes by diet. Among newborns, 128 (18.6%) in the COVID-19-negative group and 8 (34.8%) in the COVID-19-positive group developed hypoglycemia. Of these, 105 required neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Most were treated with intravenous dextrose, and five needed glucagon. Mean NICU stay was 12.9 days for negatives and 7 days for positives. One intrauterine fetal death occurred in the negative group. Conclusion Hypoglycemia occurred mainly within the 1 h and resolved with early feeding. Immediate postnatal feeding and screening at 2 h are recommended. No significant differences were found in short-term neonatal outcomes between COVID-19-positive and negative mothers.