The Correlation Between Placental Weight and Neonatal Blood Glucose Levels in Pregnancies With Gestational Diabetes...

Background: The primary objective is to identify the correlation between placental weight and neonatal blood glucose levels among pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The secondary objectives are to identify the relationships between prepregnancy maternal weight and BMI and placental weight, birth weight and the placental weight-to-birth weight ratio, birth weight and neonatal blood glucose levels, and birth weight and placental weight. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on GDM patients. The inclusion criteria were a singleton pregnancy, maternal age of 18-40 years, and delivery at term. The obstetric database was accessed to retrieve the consecutive records of GDM for a comprehensive review of the medical records. Maternal and neonatal outcomes, such as placental weight and neonatal blood glucose levels, were collected. Results: A total of 3503 cases were reviewed, and 737 met the inclusion criteria. Placental weight was significantly correlated with prepregnancy maternal weight or BMI, maternal BMI at delivery, and birth weight. The placental weight-to-birth weight ratio was also significantly correlated with prepregnancy maternal weight and birth weight. Placental weight was not significantly correlated with neonatal blood glucose levels, whereas increased birth weight was inversely correlated with neonatal blood glucose levels within 1 h after birth. Conclusions: In women with GDM, placental weight is not significantly correlated with neonatal blood glucose levels, while birth weight is. Birth weight is directly correlated with placental weight. Additionally, prepregnancy maternal weight and BMI are associated with placental weight and the placental weight-to-birth weight ratio.