GDM (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus)

Definition

Carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity with onset or first recognition during the present pregnancy.

Risk Factor

  1. Previous GDM

  2. First degree family h/o DM

  3. Previous macrosomia/polyhydramnios

  4. Multiple pregnancy

  5. Obesity

  6. Age ≥25 y/o

Etiology

Normal metabolic changes during pregnancy:

  1. Increase fetal demands after 18w -> increase carb intake to keep up with demands -> increase insulin requirements

  2. Placental hCG opposes the action of insulin -> increase insulin resistance

Pathophysiology

  1. Pancreatic beta cells work overtime to keep up with higher insulin demands

  2. Eventually, pancreatic beta cells "tire out" and unable to keep up with insulin demands

  3. Plasma glucose rises -> GDM

Complications

Maternal

  1. Bacteriuria - due to persistent glucosuria

  2. Gestational HTN & Preeclampsia - insulin resistance of adrenal medulla -> increase catecholamine -> vasoconstriction

  3. Hypomagnesemia - less Mg2+ is reabsorbed in the nephron due to glucose

  4. IUGR - placenta cannot supply sufficient O2 & nutrients to the fetus

  5. Preterm labour - placenta cannot support full term fetus

  6. Hypocalcemia - reduced Mg2+ lvl results in reduce secretion of PTH

Fetal

  1. Macrosomia - increase exposure to glucose -> increase insulin production -> increase anabolic metabolism

  2. Polyhydramnious

  3. Shoulder dystocia

  4. Neonatal RDS - insulin interferes with cortisol-induced fetal lung maturation

  5. Perinatal asphyxia - baby's neck constricted in perineum

  6. Neonatal jaundice - HTN mother -> episodic fetal hypoxia -> increase fetal erythropoietin -> increase RBC breakdown -> hyperbilirubinemia

Investigations

OGTT (screening)

When?

@booking for woman with risk factors.

@24-28w for age ≥25 with no risk factors.

How?

  1. Fasting 8hrs

  2. Take FPG

  3. Drink 75g Dextrose + 250ml water

  4. Wait 2hrs

  5. Take 2-HPP plasma glucose

Results?

Normal: FPG ≤5.0

GDM: FPG ≥5.1 mmol/L OR 2-HPP ≥7.8 mmol/L

Overt DM: FPG ≥7.0 mmol/L

Management

Antenatal

  1. Diet control

  2. Metformin

  3. Insulin - Actrapid (short acting), Insulatard (intermediate acting)

  4. Preeclampsia prophylaxis - Low dose aspirin

  5. Detailed scan @18-20w

Delivery

When?

With complications @37w0d

On MTF/Insulin @37w0d - 38w6d

Intrapartum

Target CPG: 4.0-7.0 mmol/L

CPG 2-hourly in T2DM/GDM on medication

CPG 4-hourly in GDM on d/c

If T1DM or CPG >7.0 -> start IV insulin

Repeat CBG before transfer to ward & BSP at 24-48 hrs post delivery.

Postnatal

  1. Repeat OGTT after 6w

  2. Postpartum HbA1c

  3. Annual diabetes screening

  4. Advise - reduce weight, diet control & contraception


Pre-existing & Overt Diabetes

Complications

  1. CNS & skeletal - sacral agenesis, neural tube defect, anencephaly, microcephaly, caudal regression syndrome

  2. Cardiovascular - VSD, ASD, coarctation of aorta, transposition of great vessels, situs inversus, Fallot’s tetralogy

  3. Renal - renal agenesis, hydronephrosis, double ureter, polycystic kidneys

  4. GI - duodenal atresia, anorectal atresia, omphalocele, tracheoesophageal fistula

  5. Other - single umbilical artery

Diagnosis

CPG Malaysia (at least one of the following):

  1. FPG ≥7.0 mmol/L

  2. RPG ≥11.1 mmol/L with symptoms

*however, the diagnosis of overt DM is confirmed with a second test (FPG/RPG/OGTT)