TIGHT GLUCOSE CONTROL RESULTS IN NORMAL PERINATAL OUTCOME IN 150 PATIENTS WITH GESTATIONAL DIABETES

Objective: To determine whether tight control of blood glucose is asso ciated with normal outcomes in gestational diabetes. Methods: We studi ed 150 consecutive patients with gestational diabetes referred to a di abetes in pregnancy clinic. selection criteria were an abnormal glucos e tolerance test, diabetic management by one physician, capillary bloo d glucose monitoring in the prenatal period, and delivery at Grace Hos pital. Degree of glucose control during pregnancy and maternal and per inatal outcomes were determined by chart review. Results: Overall aver age glucose levels were 4.9 mmol/L (89 mg/dL) before meals and 6.7 mmo l/L (122 mg/dL) 1 hour after meals. Thirty-one percent of the patients were treated with insulin in the prenatal period. In this series, the re was no perinatal mortality and no increased incidence of large or s mall for gestational age infants, cesarean delivery, preterm labor, pr egnancy-induced hypertension, neonatal respiratory distress, hypoglyce mia, polycythemia, symptomatic hyperbilirubinemia, symptomatic hypocal cemia, or congenital malformations.Conclusion: Tight glucose control i s associated with normal perinatal outcome in gestational diabetes.