DOI: N/A
Chowdhury FTT, Begum F, Choudhury SF, Faizah M, Dorin IA, Nurunnabi M
Background: Hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) is associated with increased risk of adverse fetomaternal outcomes, which may vary according to the timing of delivery. Evidence regarding the association between gestational age at delivery and fetomaternal complications is limited in Bangladesh.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between gestational age at delivery and fetomaternal outcomes among women with HIP.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to June 2020 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, BIRDEM, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 207 women aged ≥18 years with HIP admitted for delivery were purposively selected. Women with multiple pregnancies, active per vaginal bleeding, or severe comorbidities were excluded. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews and review of hospital records during the 3rd–7th day of the puerperium.
Results: The majority of mothers were aged 26–35 years (69.1%), and most deliveries occurred in the early-term period (61.4%). Caesarean delivery was predominant (96.6%). Pregnancy-induced hypertension (22.7%) and polyhydramnios (15.9%) were the most common maternal complications. Among neonates, 22.2% had low birth weight, 12.6% had APGAR scores <7, 14.5% developed jaundice, 9.7% had respiratory distress syndrome, and 26.1% required NICU admission. Maternal age, PIH, oligohydramnios, and genitourinary tract infections were significantly associated with preterm delivery (p<0.05). Fetal outcomes such as low birth weight, depressed APGAR score, neonatal jaundice, respiratory distress syndrome, and NICU admission were significantly higher in preterm and early-term deliveries compared to full-term (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Gestational age at delivery in women with HIP is strongly associated with both maternal and neonatal complications. Preterm and early-term deliveries were related to higher risks of adverse outcomes, emphasizing the importance of optimal glycemic control and careful monitoring to improve fetomaternal outcomes in hyperglycemic pregnancies.