Management of gestational diabetes in women with a concurrent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, experience of a single center in Northern Italy

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2021 Mar;152(3):335-338. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.13434. Epub 2020 Dec 12.

Abstract

Objective: In this study we describe the management of women with gestational diabetes (GD) and an ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can further complicate pregnancies, and if the protocol we usually use for GD pregnancies is also applicable to patients who have contracted a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: This is a retrospective study analyzing all pregnant women with GD and concomitant COVID-19 admitted to our institution for antenatal care between March 1 and April 30, 2020.

Results: Among pregnant women with GD and a concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection, the mean age was 32.9 (SD 5.6) years. Two patients (33%) were of white racial origin and four (67%) were of non-white racial origin. All patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the third trimester of pregnancy. Two women were asymptomatic and four were symptomatic. Only two (33.3%) women received treatment with insulin. None of the patients required intensive care or mechanical ventilation. No complications were found among the neonates.

Conclusion: COVID-19 was not found to worsen the prognosis of patients with GD or of their offspring. Glycemic monitoring, diet therapy, and insulin, when needed, are sufficient for good metabolic control and favorable maternal and fetal outcomes.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019; Diet; Gestational diabetes; Insulin; International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups; Management: Northern Italy; Pandemic.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • Cesarean Section / statistics & numerical data
  • Diabetes, Gestational* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Italy
  • Labor, Induced / statistics & numerical data
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin