Perinatal Outcomes of Gestational Diabetes: A Hospital-Based Investigation in Yaounde, Cameroon

Abstract

Kamsu Zicfried, Carinele Tchinda Tidang, Raïssa Monayong Mendomo, Laura Kuate Makowa, Sonia Zambou Zebaze, Audrey Thérèse Mbang, Christiale Batibonak, Aurore Albane Essomba

Gestational diabetes (GDM) can be considered as glucose intolerance, diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. It is a global issue with maternal, obstetrical and neonatal implications. We aimed to investigate and describe perinatal outcomes of GDM among a group of affected Cameroonian women. We carried out an observational study with a cross-sectional design at the Yaoundé Central Hospital (YCH) and the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstétric and Pediatric Hospital (YGOPH). This was a seven-month investigation from files of all women admitted with GDM from January 2018 to January 2020. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 20. Our study sample comprised 34 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM out of 652 women admitted to the service during the same period (5.2%). Their average age was 31.8±4.4 years. Most women were multiparous (15: 44.0%) and were followed by both gynecologists and endocrinologists (21: 61.6%). The mean Gestational age (GA) at first antenatal consultation (ANC) was 12±2.5 weeks. The mean GA at delivery was 37.7 ±1.8. Most women were symptomatic with cardinal syndrome comprising polyuria (32: 94.2%), polydipsia (22: 64.1%), and polyphagia (21: 61.6%). The mainstay of the management was insulin therapy (25: 73.3%). The rate of cesarean delivery was (22: 64.1%) and most were term (20: 58.3%) live births (30: 88.4%). Nevertheless, 14: 41.7% were born prematurely. The majority of neonates were macrosomes (13: 38.4%) and big babies (9: 26.7%) with the main complications being hypoglycemia (13: 38.4%) and neonatal infection (8: 23.52%). From these results, we observed that GDM is a major issue in pregnancy with the potential of severe perinatal implications in both newly delivered women and babies. Adequate management includes prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary follow-up until after delivery to prevent complications

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