THE OUTCOME OF PREGNANCY FOLLOWING UNTREATED IMPAIRED GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE

Objective: To study the outcome of untreated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) during pregnancy. Methods: Two hundred twelve pregnant women with IGT and 212 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance. The main outcomes at delivery were mean gestation at delivery, incidence of preterm labor and induction of labor, modes of delivery, mean birthweight, mean Apgar score at 5 min, proportion of babies admitted to NICU, mean values of neonatal capillary blood glucose and hematocrit at 2 h of age. Results: The mean age and parity of women with IGT during pregnancy were higher than those in control women. Their babies were heavier and had lower neonatal capillary blood glucose and higher hematocrit concentration than controls. However, the proportion of babies with birthweight greater than or equal to 2 S.D. above the mean, neonatal capillary blood glucose <1.5 mmol/l (28 mg/dl) or hematocrit greater than or equal to 65% were equal in both groups. Conclusion: IGT, as defined by the World Health Organization, did not result in any adverse outcomes.