Abstract

Background: Infants born to mothers with diabetes have been at significantly greater risk for perinatal morbidity and mortality. Practitioners have sought to improve the outcome of diabetic pregnancies through proper maternal glycemic control.

Objective: To estimate the proportion of neonatal complications and death among infants of diabetic mothers. Methods: This observational cross sectional study was conducted in Misurata teaching hospital between January and December 2015. We retrospectively analyzed the NICU and Neonatology record files of 90 infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) during the study period. Data on sex, gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, parity, mode of delivery, Apgar score, neonatal complications and investigations were collected.

Results: Out of 90 IDMs, 20(22.2%) were delivered preterm, 40(44.4 %) had birth wt more than 4 Kg, 12(13.3 %) had Apgar score less than 7 at 1 min, 35(38.9 %) had blood sugar less than 45 at 1 hour, 47(52.2%) needed IVF for control of blood sugar. 71(78.9%) were delivered by C/S 31(34.5%) of which were urgent and 60(66.7%). 20(22.2%) developed hypoglycemia, 9(10%) developed hypocalcaemia and 7(7.8%) developed hyper bilirubinemia. RDS developed in 23(25.5%), Neonatal sepsis in 5(5.6%), TTN in 8(8.8%), Birth asphyxia in 1(1.1%), congenital anomalies in 24(26.6%), CHD in 19(21.1%) and mortality was 1(1.1%).

Conclusion: Macrosomia, preterm birth, congenital anomalies, CHD, RDS, TTN, hypoglycemia, hypocalcaemia and hyperbillirubinaemia are significant complications among IDMs. Screening of all pregnant women for diabetes, good glycemic control and opening of gestational diabetes clinic on a national scale is highly recommended.

Keywords: Infant; Diabetes mellitus; Mother; Morbidity; Mortality