Newborn hearing screening in gestational diabetes mellitus: A comparative study of GDMA1 and GDMA2

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic disorder that affects both maternal and fetal health, with potential long-term complications. While its impact on neonatal outcomes is well-documented, its association with newborn hearing loss remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between GDM subtypes-diet-controlled (GDMA1) and insulin-treated (GDMA2) -and newborn hearing screening results, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions.

This retrospective study included pregnancy records from Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital. Pregnant women were categorized into three groups: healthy pregnancies (n = 282), GDMA1 (n = 140), and GDMA2 (n = 68). Hearing screening was performed using the auditory brainstem response (ABR) test. Newborns failing two consecutive tests were referred for further audiological evaluation and classified as having an adverse outcome. One-way ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni tests were used for statistical comparisons, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. To control for potential confounding variables, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted.

Among the 490 newborns analyzed, the hearing screening failure rate was significantly higher in the GDMA2 group (26.5 %) compared to GDMA1 (10.0 %) and the control group (4.3 %) (p < 0.001). Additionally, GDMA2 pregnancies were associated with earlier delivery and higher birth weights compared to healthy pregnancies (p = 0.001). The study demonstrated a strong association between GDM severity and newborn hearing screening failure rates.

The findings indicate that newborns of GDM-affected pregnancies, particularly those requiring insulin treatment, have a higher risk of failing hearing screening tests. Given the potential long-term consequences of undetected hearing loss, early identification and intervention are crucial. Public health policies should incorporate enhanced prenatal monitoring and neonatal audiological screening programs for at-risk populations. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms linking GDM severity to auditory dysfunction.