Outcomes of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pakistani Mothers: An Experience of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: To assess the incidence and outcome of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy among sampleof Pakistani population.Study Design and Setting: This was an analytic case-control prospective study carried out at two centers (CMH Kharianand PNS Shifa Hospital Karachi) from 1st Jan till 30th July 2021.Methodology Previously healthy mothers were divided into three groups according to their risk of elevated glucose levelsgestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy. Associations between GDM eminence (exposure variable) andpregnancy-related, fetal, and neonatal outcomes were reviewed (i.e., mode of delivery, preterm baby, pregnancy-inducedhypertension, and fetal macrosomia, stillbirth, premature delivery etc. One way ANOVA was employed to compare thesignificant differences in different dependent variables amongst three groups. P Values of <0.05 were considered substantial.Results: A total of 120 patients were divided into 3 groups Group 1 (uncontrolled sugar group) who could not achieveadequate sugar control, Group II (adequate sugar control group) and Group III as control group (Non-Diabetic). The meanage in our population was 24 (+ 4.15) years most of study population 70% of mothers were under 25 years of age. Themajority (95%) of deliveries in the control group (Euglycemic) were uneventful, but poor fetal outcomes were noted ingroups 1 2 (documented to have elevated blood sugars,) especially in the group with Uncontrolled Sugar. GDM waspositively associated with preterm birth, stillbirth and macrosomia.Conclusion: GDM is a prevalent disease in Pakistan and needs and has association with poor pregnancy outcomes. Urgentattention requires at individual and state level to reduce morbidity and mortality.