Morbidity and mortality among infants of diabetic mothers admitted to a neonatal care unit in Karbala pediatric teaching hospital

This study aimed to determine the morbidity and mortality patterns among infants of diabetic mothers admitted to the neonatal care unit in Karbala pediatric teaching hospital. The study enrolled fifty diabetic infants (pregestational and gestational) admitted to the ward from the 1st of October 2013 to the 30th of January 2014. Data on delivery mode, gestational age, birth weight, other associated morbidities, investigation results, therapy, length of hospital stay, and outcome were collected and compared to infants of non-diabetic mothers admitted during the same period. A retrospective analysis of maternal data was performed. 62% of infants were born to mothers with gestational diabetes, and 38% were born to mothers with pre-gestational diabetes. 86% were born by caesarian section, of which 35% were by emergency cesarean section. The mean gestational age of infants of diabetic mothers was 37w1d±1.88, and 29 (64%) had macrosomia. The most typical morbidities were hypoglycemia (significantly higher in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) than infants of non-diabetic mothers) and hyperbilirubinemia in 36 (72%) and 24 (48%), respectively. There was no difference in morbidity patterns between infants of pregestational and gestational diabetic mothers except for macrosomia, and transient tachypnea of newborns was higher in gestational diabetes. The mortality rate was not significantly higher in IDMs. Diabetes during pregnancy has a serious effect on neonates and their mothers. The commenced morbidities in IDMs were hypoglycemia, macrosomia, and hyperbilirubinemia, so strict control of blood glucose level during pregnancy and education of diabetic women is essential before and during gestation.