Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of pregnant women with diabetes mellitus and hypertension

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Psychological effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on pregnant women with diabetes and hypertension are not yet studied. Besides the pregnancy, these women have additional risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndrome due to COVID-19 and are considered a particularly vulnerable, unique population. We aimed to assess their mental health during this pandemic. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out at a Brazilian tertiary hospital. Women with pregnancies complicated by hypertension and/or diabetes were evaluated. The primary outcome was anxiety, and depressive symptoms evaluated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Patient Health Questionnaire. Perception of changing habits during quarantine was evaluated as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were included. The prevalence of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory ≥40 was 79.7% and that of Patient Health Questionnaire ≥10 was 59.2%. Lower social support was correlated with higher scores on both scales. Time spent with electronic devices was perceived as greater by 62% of the women. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women with diabetes and hypertension presented high levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering that these symptoms can affect both the mother's and offspring's health, it is necessary to implement tools to improve their mental health.

Obesity, gestational weight gain, and birth weight in women with gestational diabetes: the LINDA-Brasil (2014-2017) and the EBDG (1991-1995) studies

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to evaluate gestational weight gain and birth weight in women with gestational diabetes mellitus of two Brazilian cohorts enrolled three decades apart. Methods: The authors compared data of 2362 women from the Lifestyle INtervention for Diabetes Prevention After Pregnancy study (LINDA-Brasil, 2014-2017) to those of 359 women from the Estudo Brasileiro de Diabetes Gestacional study (EBDG, 1991-1995). Gestational weight gain was classified by the 2009 Institute of Medicine criteria; large and small for gestational age newborns, by the Intergrowth-21st chart. Differences in birth weight means between pregestational BMI and gestational weight gain categories were evaluated by ANOVA; the associations of gestational weight gain and birth weight, through multivariable Poisson regression. Results: In LINDA-Brasil, women presented higher pregestational body mass index (30.3 ± 6.5 vs. 24.6 ± 4.4 kg/m2) and were frequently obese (46.4 vs. 11.1%) compared to those of the EBDG. In the EBDG, gestational weight gain was larger (11.3 ± 6.1 vs. 9.2 ± 7.6 kg) and rates of small for gestational age higher (7.5 vs. 4.5%) compared to LINDA-Brasil. In LINDA-Brasil, excessive gestational weight gain was associated to macrosomia (adjusted relative risk [aRR]: 1.59, 95% CI 1.08-2.35) and large for gestational age (aRR: 1.40; 95% CI 1.05-1.86); less gain increased the risk of low birth weight (aRR: 1.66; 95% CI 1.05-2.62) and small for gestational age (aRR: 1.79; 95% CI 1.03-3.11). These associations were similar in the EBDG, although not statistically significant. Conclusions: Improvements in gestational weight gain and rates of small for gestational age occurred over time in gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies, accompanied by a worsening in maternal weight profile. This highlights the nutritional transition during this period and the importance of avoiding excessive gestational weight gain as well as promoting adequate weight before conception.