The Effect of Gestational Diabetes on Neonatal Outcomes in Jeddah City: A Retrospective Study

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Saudi Arabia is believed to affect 36% of all pregnant women. Many adverse outcomes affect the lives of the neonates of these mothers. Therefore, this study aims to assess the association between GDM and neonatal health outcomes in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia.

A retrospective cohort design was used. Two hundred neonatal records were reviewed: 100 for neonates of mothers who had GDM and 100 without GDM for control. The two groups were compared in terms of neonatal outcomes.

The gestational age and the glycemic level of neonates of mothers without GDM were significantly higher than those with GDM (39± weeks vs. 37 weeks and 63± vs. 55 mg/dL, p ≤ 0.05). Neonates of mothers with GDM required cesarean section deliveries more than neonates of mothers without GDM (92% vs. 40%, p ≤ 0.05). Also, these neonates were more prone to develop respiratory distress syndrome and congenital anomalies than neonates of mothers without GDM (21% vs. 11% and 17% vs. 4%, p ≤ 0.05).

This study provides empirical evidence demonstrating the negative effect of GDM on neonatal health outcomes, mainly in terms of hypoglycemia, respiratory distress syndrome, and congenital anomalies. Therefore, it highlights the importance of adequate glycemic control by specifying proper treatment together with dietary intervention and exercise programs to improve outcomes. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript. Corresponding author had full access to all the data in this study and takes complete responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.