Partner Smoking/Drinking Is Associated with Increased Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Perinatal Outcomes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication associated with adverse fetal-maternal outcomes. This research investigated the association of partner smoking/drinking with GDM and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

A prospective cohort study was conducted, involving 1005 pregnant women in Guangzhou from July 2015 to December 2016. Participants were recruited at their first antenatal visit and followed until delivery. A 1:2 nested case-control study was used to assess the association between GDM and partner smoking/drinking, while a cohort study evaluated pregnancy outcomes.

Among 1005 participants, 324 involved partner smoking/drinking, with 335 GDM cases matched to 670 non-GDM controls. Partner smoking/drinking was a significant independent risk factor for GDM (adjusted odds ratios (OR), 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3-3.0). Compared to non-GDM women without partner smoking/drinking, the relative risk (RR) of cervical ripening scores < 6 was 2.4 (1.4-4.2) for women with GDM alone and 2.7 (1.5-4.9) for those with both GDM and partner smoking/drinking; high-risk pregnancy scores for GDM alone were 8.9 (5.4-14.6) and 11.3 (6.4-19.8) for both; for turbid amniotic fluid and hospitalization before delivery (< 37 weeks) for GDM alone 2.5 (1.1-6.0) and 1.7 (1.1-2.6), respectively; for cesarean delivery for partner smoking/drinking alone 1.5 (1.0-2.1); for caput succedaneum for both 1.8 (1.1-3.0); for intensive neonatal care GDM alone 19.0 (9.7-37.2) and 28.3 (12.4-64.9) for both. RRs were similar to GDM alone and the both for 5-min Apgar scores < 10.

Partner smoking/drinking is associated with an increased risk of GDM and adverse pregnancy outcomes. When combined with GDM, the risk has a stronger effect than either one alone.