Determinants of the persistency of macrosomia and shoulder dystocia despite treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus

AIMS: to identify potentially modifiable risk factors associated with the persistency of macrosomia and/or shoulder dystocia in infants born to women treated for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: this case-control retrospective study included 113 cases complicated by macrosomia (ponderal index ≥97(th) percentile) and/or shoulder dystocia, and 226 controls without these complications. Factors associated with macrosomia and/or shoulder dystocia and with failure of diabetes management were assessed by multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Macrosomia and/or shoulder dystocia were associated with previous delivery of a large for gestational age (LGA) infant (adjusted odds ratio, 2.34, 95% confidence interval [1.01–5.45]), three abnormal glucose values during oral glucose tolerance test (2.83 [1.19–6.72]), a higher gestational weight gain before treatment (1.08 [1.01–1.15]), and failure of diabetes management (2.68 [1.32–5.45]). A non-Euro Caucasian origin (3.08 [1.37–6.93]), previous delivery of a LGA infant (3.21 [1.31–7.87]), institution of treatment after 32 weeks of gestation (3.92 [1.86–8.25]), and insulin therapy (2.91 [1.20–7.03]) were associated with failure of diabetes management. CONCLUSIONS: supportive care in at risk women, limitation of weight gain in early pregnancy, shortened delay between diagnosis and treatment of GDM, and intensive insulin dosage adjustments might be means to improve the neonatal prognosis of GDM.