[Gestational diabetes mellitus in a hospital in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina: incidence, treatment, and frequency of screening for reclassification after childbirth]

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance diagnosed during pregnancy. This pathology can be associated with maternal and feto-neonatal complications, both in the short and long term. The prevalence of GDM in Argentina (based on the diagnostic criteria of the Latin American Diabetes Association (ALAD), is estimated between 7.5-10% of pregnant women. Information in Argentina on the incidence of GDM is scarce. The objective of this work was to estimate the incidence of GDM, evaluate its treatment and the frequency of screening for postpartum reclassification of diabetes in a population of pregnant women treated at a private hospital in the city of Buenos Aires.

Materials and methods: Retrospective cohort of pregnant women evaluated at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina between 2015 and 2018.

Results: The cumulative incidence of GDM was 7.6% (95% CI 7.0-8, two). All patients received nutritional advice (food plan). Of the total number of pregnant women studied 229 (39.3%) required pharmacological treatment; Of these, 97 patients received insulin (16.7%) and 132 metformin (22.7%). Regarding the follow-up of the pathology, between six weeks and one year postpartum, 267 women (45.9%) underwent diabetes screening for reclassification. Screening frequency was higher in the insulin-treated group. Of the patients who underwent screening, 36 women (13.5%) had impaired fasting blood glucose, 16 women (6.0%) had impaired glucose tolerance, and 3 women (1.1%) were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. two.Of these, 36 women (13.5%) had impaired fasting blood glucose, 16 women (6.0%) had impaired glucose tolerance, and 3 women (1.1%) were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: GDM incidence was 7.6%. Less than half of the women diagnosed with GDM required pharmacological treatment. The frequency of diabetes screening up to one year postpartum for reclassification was similar to that reported.