A Comparative Study of Eating Habits and Food Intake in Women with Gestational Diabetes according to Early Postpartum Glucose Tolerance Status

BACKGROUND: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at high risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD); continuous life-style intervention, especially diet, is central to managing T2DM and CVD. However, little is known about the dietary patterns of women with GDM after delivery. The goal of this study was to compare the eating habits and food intakes of women diagnosed with GDM during the early postpartum period. METHODS: We performed a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 184 women with GDM between 6 and 12 weeks after delivery. Based on the results of the OGTT, the subjects were divided into three groups according to the American Diabetes Association criteria; normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (n=100), pre-diabetes (n=73), and diabetes mellitus (DM) (n=11). Eating habits and usual food intake after delivery were investigated using a questionnaire, based on 24 hour-recall, which was administered by a trained dietitian. The daily intake data were analyzed using CAN Pro 3.0. Blood tests were performed pre- and post-delivery. RESULTS: Eating habits were not significantly different among the three groups. However, animal fat consumption was significantly different among the three groups. The intake ratio of fat calories to total calories was also significantly higher in the pre-diabetes and DM groups. CONCLUSION: Although diet in the period 6 to 12 weeks postpartum did not influence glucose level, it may be important to educate women with GDM about the risks of excessive animal fat intake during pregnancy and the postpartum period in order to prevent later onset of T2DM.

Sudden Death due to Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in Early Postpartum Period: a case report / 대한법의학회지

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare disease that occurs most commonly in young people, especially in peripartum or postpartum women without traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease. We describe the case of a 30-year-old woman who suddenly died approximately 2 weeks postpartum period. She was otherwise healthy with no cardiac risk factors. On autopsy, the coronary artery showed 4cm long segment of dissection, starting from the left main artery to anterior descending branch. Microscopic finding of the dissection revealed a tear between tunica media and adventitia, creating an intramural hematoma. The left ventricle showed multifocal areas of acute myocardial infarction with reperfusion injury. SCAD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any young person sustaining an acute myocardial infarction, especially women in the postpartum state.