Comparison of Perinatal Outcomes According to the Majority of Physicians: Obstetrics Versus Endocrinology

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the perinatal outcomes among the majority of physicians who manage pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), particularly those who require insulin treatment.Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving 206 singleton pregnant women diagnosed with GDM between January 2017 and September 2022. The study participants were divided into 2 groups according to the majority of physicians (obstetrics vs. endocrinology). We compared the maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes between the 2 groups and performed a subgroup analysis of preterm birth cases.Results: During the study period, 206 pregnant women were diagnosed with GDM and 36.9% (76 of 206) required insulin treatment. Among the GDM A2 pregnancies, 26 patients visited or consulted endocrinologists, and 50 patients were managed by obstetricians. There were no significant differences in maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes between the two groups. Eighteen infants were delivered before 37 weeks of gestation (12 in the obstetrician group and 6 in the endocrinologist group). In preterm-delivered patients, the birth weight was heavier in the endocrinology group (median [range], 2.66 [1.98–3.77] vs. 3.71 [2.48–4.17], p=0.025) despite similar gestational age at delivery (median [range], 35.5 [33.1–36.5] vs. 36.0 [34.2–36.6], p=0.511). However, there were no significant differences in perinatal outcomes, including the rate of neonatal hypoglycemia, oxygen treatment and the duration of neonatal intensive care unit admission.Conclusion: Our data show that GDM can be managed by obstetricians even in cases requiring insulin treatment.