Trial looks into reducing harm of gestational diabetes

Lowering the target blood sugar level for those with gestational diabetes during pregnancy may reduce the risk of birth complications for the baby but increase them for the mother, according to Australian, NZ and international research.

Gestational diabetes often causes the birth of especially large babies who face a high risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. While the researchers say the lower blood sugar target didn’t significantly impact baby size, the risk of death or injury to the baby was 1.3% compared to 2.6% for the higher blood sugar target. The risk of major haemorrhage, clotting problems or other health complications for the mother was 5.9% for those with the lower target compared to 3% for the higher target.

Women can change their diets and take medication to control their blood sugar, but currently, it is unknown how tightly those levels should be controlled to minimise the risks to the mother and baby.

The new results can help doctors decide what blood sugar level individual patients should strive for while managing their gestational diabetes. The study included 1100 pregnant women and is the largest randomised comparison of two blood sugar level targets reported to date in a diverse population.

Caroline Crowther of the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and colleagues, reported the findings and said, “This unique trial allowed for the sequential implementation of the newly recommended tighter treatment targets for women with gestational diabetes and assessed if there are true benefits, without harm, to use of tighter treatment targets.” However, the researchers point out that there is still a need to confirm their findings through additional randomised trials and in different healthcare settings.

Image credit: iStock.com/globalmoments