Perinatal outcome of macrosomic infants born to diabetic versus non-diabetic mothers

Objective

To assess the incidence and perinatal complications of macrosomic infants born to diabetic and non-diabetic mothers.

Patients and methods

A six-year retrospective study of newborns at our hospital. A total of 996 macrosomic newborns were found. Maternal characteristics, mode of delivery, and perinatal outcomes were studied.

Results

Of 18,005 newborns, 996 were macrosomic infants (5.53%). Of these, 103 (10.3%) were born to diabetic mothers. Diabetic mothers had higher parity (1.89 vs. 1.35; p < 0.000), cesarean section rate (52.4 vs. 31.1%; p < 0.05), and resuscitation rate (5.8 vs. 1.8%; p < 0.006; RR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.42–5.9), and greater need for hospitalization (19.4 vs. 9.6%; p < 0.002; RR: 2; 95% CI: 1.3–3.2) and intensive care (5.8 vs. 0.7%; p < 0.000; RR: 5.3; 95% CI: 2.8–10) mostly for hypoglycemia (7.8 vs. 1%; p < 0.000; RR: 5; 95% CI: 2.8–8.3), jaundice (8.7 vs. 2.1%; p < 0.000; RR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.9–5.9), respiratory distress (4.9 vs. 1.3%; p < 0.009; RR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.4–6.7), and asphyxia (2.9 vs. 0.4%; p < 0.005; RR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.8–11.1). No differences were found in birth trauma.

Conclusions

Macrosomic infants born to diabetic mothers have an increased risk of hospital admission in the neonatal period for hypoglycemia, jaundice, respiratory distress, and asphyxia, and a greater need of intensive care. Obstetric trauma rates were similar in both groups.