Gestational Diabetes and Preterm Birth: What Do We Know? Our Experience and Mini-Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. The incidence of GDM has been on the rise in tandem with the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide. We focused on the study of what causes premature births and if there are methods to prevent these events that can result in long-term complications. Methods: This study was a prospective, non-interventional study that lasted for 4 years from December 2018 to December 2022. From the group of women enrolled in the study, we selected and analyzed the characteristics of women who gave birth prematurely. Additionally, we performed a systematic review examining the association between GDM and the frequency of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results: In total, 78% underwent an emergency caesarean and had polyhydramnios. The results indicate that women who had a preterm delivery had a significantly higher maternal age compared to those who had a term delivery (p < 0.001). Conversely, there was no significant difference in preconception BMI between the two groups (p = 0.12). Conclusions: In terms of the understanding of GDM and preterm birth, several gaps in our knowledge remain. The association between GDM and preterm birth is likely multifactorial, involving various maternal factors.