Impact of different levels of carbohydrate intolerance on neonatal outcomes classically associated with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE To compare the influence of different levels of carbohydrate intolerance on neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN The cohort constituted by the 1962 pregnant women screened for gestational diabetes who gave birth at the University Hospital of Granada (Spain) in the year 1995 was followed retrospectively. Women were classified into three groups: diagnosis of gestational diabetes, positive screen but non-gestational diabetes, and negative screen. Frequency of adverse newborn outcomes were quantified for each group and compared for statistical significance. RESULTS Gestational diabetes was associated with a greater incidence of high birth weight, hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia. Adequate metabolic control of the illness reduced the risk of adverse outcomes. Birth weight traced a positive slope with respect to the degree of carbohydrate intolerance. Regardless of carbohydrate intolerance, macrosomia was always higher among gravidae with gestational diabetes risk factors than among women without them. CONCLUSION Both maternal gestational diabetes risk factors and greater carbohydrate intolerance in gravidae are associated with an increase in adverse newborn outcomes.