The Influence of Hyperglycemia on the Outcome of Diabetic Pregnancies

Abstract

At the beginning of the last century, the association between diabetes mellitus and pregnancy was credited with a high risk of complications and mortality. However, nowadays, such issue no longer bears such a pessimistic approach. Planning the pregnancy during a period of optimal metabolic control and careful monitoring of the pregnant woman significantly reduces maternal and fetal mortality. The most important aspects of fetal pathology are: intrauterine fetal death, congenital malformations, growing disorders (macrosomia or delays in growing), neonatal hypoglycemia, respiratory distress syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy etc. The fetus’s viability is significantly impacted if a quality maternal glycemic control is not obtained at least 3 months prior to birth, as well as throughout the entire pregnancy term (particularly during the first 10 weeks, term during which organogenesis is completed). This systematic review of scientific literature aims to summarize the pathogenic ways in which hyperglycemia may influence the fetus of women with Diabetes Mellitus.