Clin Pediatr | Volume 3, Issue 1 | Review Article | Open Access

Impact of Maternal Gestational Diabetes on Neonatal Outcome of Late Preterm Infants

Genevieve Po Gee Fung1* and Terence Terence Tzu Hsi Lao2

1Department of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong
2Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

*Correspondance to: Genevieve Po Gee Fung 

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Abstract

Late-preterm birth, defined as delivery between 34 to 36 weeks, comprises of over 70% of all preterm deliveries, and has a prevalence of 4.4% to 16% worldwide. Compared to term infants, late preterm infants are well known to be at risk for neonatal complications like respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of newborn, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, feeding difficulties etc… Recent studies have shown that in addition to neonatal problems, late preterm infants are also associated with long-term complications including learning difficulties, cognitive problems and developmental delay. Meanwhile, maternal Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) or Diabetes Mellitus (DM) are also associated with preterm delivery as well as multiple obstetric and neonatal complications. Although late preterm delivery with maternal GDM/DM is expected to be at increased risk for
adverse outcome, there are not many studies on this topic, and the actual impact on the mother and infant is not well delineated.
With the advancement of knowledge on late preterm births, both obstetric and neonatal care had evolved to optimize management and to improve both short and long-term outcome. This paper will analyze the implications of maternal GDM/DM on late preterm deliveries and review the latest knowledge and updated recommendations on management of late-preterm deliveries. Management of late preterm birth is a challenging topic and an interesting area for further research.

Keywords:

Prematurity; Late preterm; Gestational diabetes; Diabetes

Citation:

GPG Fung, TT Lao. Impact of Maternal Gestational Diabetes on Neonatal Outcome of Late Preterm Infants. Clin Pediatri. 2020;3:1023..

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