Foetal and maternal complications in pre-gestational and gestational diabetes mellitus

The article presents a review of literature related to the effect of pre-gestational and gestational diabetes mellitus in mothers on the organogenesis and growth of the foetus. In mothers with undiagnosed pre-gestational diabetes, the risk of occurrence of congenital defects is significantly higher than in physiological pregnancy. The most frequent defects include the caudal regression syndrome, transposition of the great vessels, coarctation of the aorta, and persistent ductus arteriosus Botalli (PDA). By contrast, gestational diabetes mellitus appearing in the second half of pregnancy, on principle, has no effect on organogenesis. Its most frequent complication is foetal macrosomia, which increases the risk of caesarean delivery. Hyperglycaemia during pregnancy is also related to neonatal complications. Moreover, in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus there is an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in a later period.