Correlation of maternal A1c with glucose infusion rate requirements in the newborn

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Fetal hyperinsulinemia and neonatal hyperglycemia are complications of poor maternal glycemic control and may result in increased glucose infusion rate (GIR) requirements in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). The objectives of this study were to correlate maternal A1c levels with GIR requirements in IDMs, establish an A1c threshold predictive for GIR requirements, and identify associations between A1c levels and complications in IDMs.

STUDY DESIGN:

A retrospective review of paired maternal A1c values and GIR requirements of IDMs were compared via logistic regression analysis. A likelihood ratio was calculated to correlate A1c levels with GIR requirements, and identify a maternal A1c threshold.

RESULTS:

Increasing A1c values were significantly correlated with GIR≥5 mg/kg/min (OR, 1.37; 95% CI 1.04–1.79, p = 0.021). Macrosomia was the most frequent complication (OR, 1.31; 95% CI 1.04–1.67, p = 0.022) and A1c > 6.8% was predictive for increased GIR requirements.

CONCLUSION:

Increased A1c values were significantly associated with GIR requirements≥5 mg/kg/min. Increased maternal A1c is significantly associated with complications in newborns, specifically macrosomia. A maternal A1c of 6.8% was identified as a threshold predictive of increased GIR requirements.