Role of visual evoked potential as a window to detect functional changes that occur without signs of diabetic retinopathy in fundoscopy: Case series involving symptomatic overt diabetic pregnant women

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication associated with diabetes mellitus. Pregnancy is a major risk factor for DR in diabetic women. Recent evidenced suggests that in course of DR functional changes including damage of pre-ganglionic and ganglionic cells in retina precede structural microvascular changes. A number of studies in the past have highlighted the role of pattern visual evoked potential (VEP) in detecting such functional changes. However, the study of VEP changes in diabetic pregnancies remains unexplored. This case series has the objective of exploring VEP changes in symptomatic OVD cases, who had no signs of DR on fundoscopy. We present two cases of overt diabetic women who complaint of straining of eyes, headache, and difficulty in reading during pregnancy. Complete ophthalmic examination was done in both the cases followed by a VEP test. VEP test was done as a part of a research project. The ethical clearance for the project was obtained from the Institute’s Ethics Committee before the commencement of the study. Fundoscopic examination in both cases revealed that the retina was within normal limits with no signs of retinopathy. In Case 1, P100 latency was increased for the left eye and was normal for the right eye during the first visit. While P100 latency was increased for both left and right eye during the second visit. There was a substantial increase in P100 latency for both eyes in second visit as compared to first visit. In Case 2, P100 latency was increased for both left and right eye and amplitude decreased for the left eye. This is a case series consisting of symptomatic overt diabetic pregnant women who had increased P100 latency despite no signs of retinopathy in fundoscopy. The previous studies have reported that multiple follow-ups with ophthalmoscopy may not be cost-effective in diabetic pregnant women. VEP provides a window for detection of early functional changes that may help identify at risk patients for follow-up and early intervention.

A Brazilian cohort of pregnant women with overt diabetes: analyses of risk factors using a machine learning technique

ABSTRACT Objective: Pregnancy complicated by type 2 diabetes is rising, while data on type 2 diabetes first diagnosed in pregnancy (overt diabetes) are scarce. We aimed to describe the frequency and characteristics of pregnant women with overt diabetes, compare them to those with known pregestational diabetes, and evaluate the potential predictors for the diagnosis of overt diabetes. Subjects and methods: A retrospective cohort study including all pregnant women with type 2 diabetes evaluated in two public hospitals in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from May 20, 2005, to June 30, 2021. Classic and obstetric factors associated with type 2 diabetes risk were compared between the two groups, using machine learning techniques and multivariable analysis with Poisson regression. Results: Overt diabetes occurred in 33% (95% confidence interval: 29%-37%) of 646 women. Characteristics of women with known or unknown type 2 diabetes were similar; excessive weight was the most common risk factor, affecting ~90% of women. Age >30 years and positive family history of diabetes were inversely related to a diagnosis of overt diabetes, while previous delivery of a macrosomic baby behaved as a risk factor in younger multiparous women; previous gestational diabetes and chronic hypertension were not relevant risk factors. Conclusion: Characteristics of women with overt diabetes are similar to those of women with pregestational diabetes. Classic risk factors for diabetes not included in current questionnaires can help identify women at risk of type 2 diabetes before they become pregnant.

Gestational diabetes and overt diabetes first diagnosed in pregnancy: characteristics, therapeutic approach and perinatal outcomes in a public healthcare referral center in Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics, management, and fetal outcomes of patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or overt diabetes (OD) during pregnancy who followed up at a public healthcare referral center in Brazil. Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study based on the medical records of women diagnosed with dysglycemia during pregnancy between January 2015 and July 2017 was conducted. Results: Out of 224 pregnant women evaluated, 70% were overweight/obese. GDM was observed in 78.6% of pregnant women, while 21.4% presented with OD. Approximately 59% of patients could be diagnosed with GDM or OD by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) alterations alone. Exclusive diet therapy was used in 50.9% of patients. The need for insulin therapy was higher in OD patients (60.4%) than in GDM patients (38.1%) (p = 0.006). Women who needed insulin (n = 96) had a mean initial dose of 0.33 IU/kg (±0.27) and a final value of 0.39 IU/kg (±0.34). The cesarean rate was 74.3%. The fetal outcomes evaluated were macrosomia (2.15%), large for gestational age (LGA) fetus (15.83%), intensive care unit (ICU) need (4.32%), Apgar score ≤7 (6.47%), hypoglycemia (14.39%) and jaundice (16.55%). Conclusions: Patients with GDM and OD presented with several similar clinical features. Approximately half of the patients presented with adequate glycemic control only with diet management. Patients with OD presented a higher need for insulin therapy. Although overweight and obesity were frequent within both groups, they could possibly explain many of our findings.

Outcome of pregnancy in gestational diabetes as compared to overt diabetes

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by polyuria, polyphagia, polydipsia and glycosuria. Diabetes in pregnancy can be defined as pregestational (pre-existing) diabetes or gestational diabetes have type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus. Present study was carried to compare the maternal and perinatal outcome of overt diabetes mellitus as compared to gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) with that of gestational diabetes (GDM).Methods: An observational study was conducted at obstetrics and gynaecology department of a tertiary care center from July 2010 to October 2012 among 23 diabetic women. Seven of them were cases of overt diabetes while 16 were diagnosed during pregnancy. Maternal and fetal outcome were studied. All patients were followed from time of admission to discharge from hospital.Results: mean age of the participants were 26.71±4.89 in overt diabetes as compared to 27.56±4.41 among gestational diabetes. Illiteracy, low socio-economic status, rural residence, family history of diabetes was also high in overt diabetes mellitus as compared to GDM but none of them was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Intrauterine fetal death was more among GDM (37.5%) as compared to overt diabetes (28.57%). Prematurity and LBW were also high in overt diabetes as compared to GDM but none of them were statistically significant. Oligohydramnios, polyhydramnios and premature rupture of membrane were higher in gestational diabetes mellitus as compared to overt diabetes among women. Rate of LSCS were higher in gestational diabetes.Conclusions: Diabetes whether over or gestational is responsible for the poor outcome of the pregnancy so tight control is needed.

Cardiovascular malformations in infants of diabetic mothers: a retrospective study

Background: Despite improvements in medical care provided during pregnancy to diabetic mothers, the cardiac complications in their infants are still more frequent than in infants of general population.Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed between the years 2017-2018 on two groups of newborns, recording details of outcome of live born babies born to diabetic and non-diabetic mothers.Results: Data were extracted from medical records, and the descriptive and analytical statistics of this information was duly applied. in a total of 50 studied infants, 40 cases (80%) of cardiovascular anomalies have been diagnosed. Most of the cardiac anomaly was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The incidence of cardiovascular anomalies in infants of diabetic mothers is significantly higher than the infants of non-diabetic mothers (P=0.002). The type of maternal diabetes (diabetes mellitus, overt or gestational diabetes) did not bring about any significant difference in the incidence of cardiac malformations in infants (P=0.406).Conclusions: The incidence of cardiovascular anomalies in infants of diabetic mothers is significantly higher than the infants of non-diabetic mothers. Many of the infants were asymptomatic and therefore clinical examination and follow up in infants of diabetic mothers is important.

A Case of Pregnancy Complicated by Situs Inversus Totalis Fetus in Overt Diabetic Woman / 대한주산의학회잡지

We experienced a pregnancy with a situs inversus totalis fetus in an overt diabetic woman, which was recognized by obstetric ultrasonography during the mid- trimester and this case is presented with a review of the literature.

A Case of Pregnancy Complicated by Situs Inversus Totalis Fetus in Overt Diabetic Woman / 대한주산의학회잡지

We experienced a pregnancy with a situs inversus totalis fetus in an overt diabetic woman, which was recognized by obstetric ultrasonography during the mid- trimester and this case is presented with a review of the literature.

Comparative Study of Maternal and Perinatal Complications in Overt and Gestational Diabetes / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the maternal and neonatal complications of the overt diabetes with that of gestational diabetes. METHOD : The medical records of 65 pregnant patients complicated by diabetes mellitus at Eulji medical center from January, 2001 to December, 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. Thirteen patients of them were diagnosed as a overt diabetes and the others were diagnosed as a gestational diabetes. RESULTS: Maternal complications were that preeclampsia in 15.4% and preterm labor in 15.4% in overt diabetes patients and preeclampsia in 9.6%, fourth degree laceration in 1.9%, preterm labor in 3.8%, placenta abruption in 1.9%, cardiomyopathy in 1.9% and polyhydroamnios in 1.9% in gestational diabetes patients. Neonatal complications were that hypoglycemia in 38.5% and respiratory distress syndrome in 15.4% in overt diabetes patients and hypoglycemia in 25%, hyperbilirubinemia in 9.6% and shoulder dystocia in 1.9% in gestational diabetes patients. There were no statistic differences in maternal and neonatal complications in two groups when management had done. And in gestational diabetes group, maternal and neonatal complications were significantly higher in no management group than management group regardless of management types. CONCLUSION: If early detection and management were done in overt and gestational diabetes, there were no difference in maternal and neonatal complications. Regardless of types of diabetes, early detection and management were important.