Pregnancy and Childbirth Outcomes in Women with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Summary. Aim. To evaluate and compare the course and complications of pregnancy and childbirth in pregnant women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Research methods. A retrospective study was conducted involving women who gave birth at Kaunas Clinics of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Hospital in 2022–2023: 74 with type 1 DM and 18 with type 2 DM. Results. Patients with type 1 DM were younger than those with type 2 DM (p<0.001). Women with type 1 DM were more likely to be primipara, while those with type 2 DM were more likely to be multipara (p=0.045). Patients with type 2 DM had a higher pre-pregnancy weight and were more likely to be diagnosed with obesity (p<0.001), patients with type 1 DM gained more weight during pregnancy (p<0.001). Type 1 DM patients had a longer duration of diabetes than type 2 DM patients (p<0.001). Type 2 DM patients were more likely to experience severe preeclampsia (p=0.037) and vaginal tears (p=0.048). Fetal ultrasound is 87.5% sensitive and 92.4% specific in diagnosing fetal macrosomia in patients with DM. Women with type 2 DM were more likely to have their labor induced by mechanical device (p=0.019). Women with type 2 DM were more likely to have labor induced due to unfavorable obstetrical history (p=0.037) and severe preeclampsia (p=0.037). Conclusions. Patients with type 1 DM were younger and had a longer duration of diabetes than those with type 2 DM. Patients with type 2 DM were more likely to experience severe preeclampsia and vaginal tears, while other pregnancy and delivery complications were equally common in both type 1 and type 2 DM. The type of DM had no effect on the weight and condition of the newborn after birth. Ultrasound is sufficiently sensitive and specific in diagnosing fetal macrosomia in patients with DM.