The Relationship between Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background Given the increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes, in addition to glycemic control, it is crucial to understand the relationship between gestational weight gain and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objective To investigate the gestational weight gain in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes and its relationship with pregnancy outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 691 cases of pregnant women with type 2 diabetes who underwent prenatal care and delivery at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, from 2012 to 2020. According to the Chinese "Standard of Recommendation for Weight Gain during Pregnancy Period", the participants were categorized into the inadequate weight gain group (n=143), appropriate weight gain group (n=289), and excessive weight gain group (n=259). The gestational weight gain characteristics, maternal outcomes, and neonatal outcomes were compared among the three groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the impact of gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcomes. Results The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that compared to the appropriate weight gain group, the excessive weight gain group had increased risks of cesarean section (aOR=1.626, 95%CI=1.110-2.382), preeclampsia (aOR=1.997, 95%CI=1.071-3.677), macrosomia (aOR=1.948, 95%CI=1.175-3.230), and large for gestational age (LGA) (aOR=2.090, 95%CI=1.321-3.306), while reducing the rate of vaginal delivery (aOR=0.617, 95%CI=0.415-0.918). The inadequate weight gain group was associated with a reduced risk of delivering LGA (aOR=0.497, 95%CI=0.255-0.970), with no impact on small for gestational age (SGA) (P>0.05). Further stratified analysis revealed that excessive weight gain group with pre-pregnancy BMI≥24.0 kg/m2 increased the risks of cesarean section, preeclampsia, LGA [aOR and 95%CI were 1.673 (1.082-2.587), 1.961 (1.022-3.761), 2.031 (1.221-3.379), respectively], while reducing the rate of vaginal delivery (aOR=0.589, 95%CI=0.372-0.933). The inadequate weight gain group with pre-pregnancy BMI≥24.0 kg/m2 showed a decreased risk of delivering LGA (aOR=0.487, 95%CI=0.237-0.999). Excessive weight gain during early, middle, and late pregnancy was identified as a risk factor for macrosomia [aOR and 95%CI were 1.07 (1.00-1.15), 1.16 (1.03-1.31), and 1.16 (1.06-1.27), respectively] and LGA [aOR and 95%CI were 1.08 (1.01-1.16), 1.13 (1.02-1.26), and 1.16 (1.07-1.26), respectively]. Excessive weight gain during late pregnancy was associated with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia (aOR=1.13, 95%CI=1.02-1.24; aOR=1.14, 95%CI=1.03-1.26), while excessive weight gain during middle and late pregnancy was a risk factor for cesarean section (aOR=1.11, 95%CI=1.02-1.21; aOR=1.09, 95%CI=1.02-1.17) . Conclusion Excessive gestational weight gain increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as LGA, macrosomia, preeclampsia, and cesarean section in women with type 2 diabetes during pregnancy. Inadequate gestational weight gain reduces the risk of LGA, but does not increase the risk of SGA. There is a clear correlation between gestational weight gain during different stages of pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, optimizing blood glucose levels during pregnancy in patients with type 2 diabetes should be accompanied by enhanced education and interventions on weight gain management from preconception and early pregnancy stages.

Keywords

• diabetes mellitus, type 2|gestational|gestational weight gain|pregnancy outcome