ABSTRACT
Infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) are at an increased risk of various complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence, demographic and clinical characters of IDM admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit, and the factors associated with morbidity and mortality. The study is a 1-year retrospective observational study involving all the cases of IDM admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Misurata. The study examined the association of the following ante- peri- and postnatal factors to the morbidity and mortality rate of IDM. A total of 103 IDM were admitted to the NICU with mother age range of 31- 35 years. About 84% of the mothers had multiple pregnancies, 81.5% of the IDM were born through C-section. 72% of the mothers had gestational diabetes. 59% of IDMs were females. Median gestational age was 36 38 weeks which was associated with higher mortality rate (p = 0.041) ,40% of them were post term. Macrosomia was the most common complication; 41%. About 22% had hypocalcemia and 12% had RDS. Six cases had congenital heart disease (CHD). About 26% of the cases required intravenous fluid (IVF) which had a significantly higher mortality rate (25% vs. 1.3%) (p = 0.008). IDM are at a higher risk of congenital and acquired morbidities and mortality. Delayed birth and the mode of delivery (elective or urgent Csection) are associated with the severity of the gestational diabetes which is significantly associated with higher mortality rate.