Metabolic Complications and Outcome of Infants Born to Diabetic Mothers

• Main Authors: Sohail Ashraf, Saba Mushtaq
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rawalpindi Medical University 2018-03-01
• Series: Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College
• Online Access: https://www.journalrmc.com/index.php/JRMC/article/view/844

Objective: To determine the metabolic complications and outcome of infants born to diabetic mothers. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study infants born to diabetic mothers were included. Detailed physical examination of the newborn to assess the general condition with emphasis on birth trauma, cardiac, respiratory system examination and skeletal deformities was carried out. Routine investigations like complete blood count, X-ray chest, metabolic profile including blood sugar and serum calcium were done of all the babies. All the study neonates suspected of having congenital heart disease underwent echocardiography once they stabilized. Outcomes whether discharge or expired was noted and association of mortality with various variables were seen. Results: Forty six babies were enrolled in this study out of which males were 43.5% and females were 56.5%.Mean birth weight ranged from 1 to 5.5 kg. Majority of the babies had tachypnea at birth. The most common metabolic complications noted were hypoglycemia (73.9 %), hyperbilirubinemia (52.2 %) and hypocalcaemia (21.7 %). Six patients required mechanical ventilation and overall mortality was 8.7% Conclusion: High proportion of metabolic complications is seen in neonates born to diabetic mothers. Prompt recognition and treatment of these complications can lead to improved outcome.