An Analysis of the Frequency and Progression of COVID-19 Infection in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Compared to Non-Diabetic Mellitus Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background: The general population is less at risk for COVID-19 problems than pregnant women. COVID-19 severity may increase with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study examined COVID-19 incidence, clinical symptoms, and maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with and without GDM. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined 30 pregnant women aged 15-38 years with confirmed COVID-19 infection at a hospital in Iraq from September 2021 to March 2022. Participants were divided into a GDM group (n=15) and non-GDM group (n=15). COVID-19 symptoms, pregnancy complications, and maternal outcomes were recorded and compared between groups. Results: COVID-19 infection occurred in 63.3% of the GDM group compared to 36.7% of the non-GDM group. Fever, cough, dyspnea, diarrhea, and constipation were the most common COVID-19 symptoms. The GDM group had higher rates of preterm delivery (31.6% vs 18.2%), abortion (21% vs 9.1%), hospital admission (47.4% vs 18.2%), and oxygen supplementation (21.1% vs 18.2%) compared to the non-GDM group. Conclusions: Pregnant women with GDM exhibited a notably higher incidence of COVID-19 infection and experienced worse maternal and neonatal complications compared to those without diabetes. GDM represents an important risk factor for augmented COVID-19 severity and adverse pregnancy outcomes. These findings have implications for clinical monitoring and management of pregnant populations with GDM during the pandemic.