A Six Year Review of the Outcome of Pregnancy in Diabetic Patients in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria

Abstract

: Diabetes mellitus is a common medical condition complicating pregnancy with poor outcome. Early diagnosis and proper blood glucose control may reduce complications. The incidence and outcomes of the disease in Irrua is not known. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and outcomes of diabetes mellitus complicating pregnancy in Irrua. We carried out a six year retrospective review of the demographic characteristics of the patients, parity, clinical and booking status, number of hospital admissions for blood sugar control and pregnancy outcome of diabetes mellitus complicating pregnancy in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2005. Data collected were analysed using SPSS window version 20.0 statistical package. In the study period, there were 5,460 pregnant women who booked for antenatal care in the hospital, out of these, 2,765 attended the antenatal carefully and eventually delivered in the hospital and 30 of them whose pregnancies were complicated with diabetes mellitus were studied. The incidence of diabetes mellitus complicating pregnancy in this study is 10.85 pregnancies per 1000 births. The mean age of the patients was 33 years. Multipara were affected in 62% of cases. Gestational diabetes predominated in 66.7% of cases. There were family history of diabetes in 73.3% of cases. All patients had both dietary and insulin therapy throughout antenatal period. Majority of the patients were admitted for blood glucose control once. Majority of the patients (76.6%) had vaginal deliveries while 23.3% had caesarian deliveries due to fetal and maternal complications. Over 73% of the patients delivered at term. The outcome of pregnancy was poor. The incidence of diabetes mellitus complicating pregnancy in Irrua is 10.85 pregnancies per 1000 births, this is high with relatively poor outcome. Preconceptional counseling, deliberate blood glucose tolerance testing and adequate blood glucose control in pregnancy is recommended.