Effects of insulin on placental, fetal and maternal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: To observe the effects of exogenous insulin on placental, fetal and maternal outcomes in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Methods: After screening and diagnoses(WHO criteria) 30 GDM patients(Group A) were kept on diet control and 39 GDM (Group B) who did not achieve glycemic targets were added subcutaneous insulin. Term placental weight, size, shape, consistency, fibrinoid necrosis, hemorrhages, cord color, length of the cord, completeness of membranes, weight and condition of baby and mode of delivery were assessed in 25 patients in each group. Result: Placental weight, cord width and baby weight were found to be more in Group B, than Group A and were statistically significant with p value 0.005, 0.02 and 0.003 respectively. Ten patients in group A and 17 patients in group B had cesarean deliveries. Conclusion: Exogenous insulin produces significant effects on the placental, fetal and maternal outcomes in patients with GDM