A Study of Fetomaternal Outcome in Pregnancies Complicated by Gestational Diabetes Mellitus at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northeast India

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic disorder of pregnancy and is associated with significant adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. With the rising prevalence of GDM in India and limited region-specific data from Northeast India, evaluating fetomaternal outcomes in this population is essential. Aim and Objectives: To assess and compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus with those in normoglycaemic pregnancies, and to evaluate the association between glycaemic control and pregnancy outcomes. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based observational comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Northeast Tezpur, Assam, from August 2021 to July 2024. A total of 120 pregnant women were enrolled, comprising 60 women diagnosed with GDM and 60 normoglycaemic controls. Participants were followed from diagnosis until delivery and the early neonatal period. Maternal demographic characteristics, antenatal complications, mode of delivery, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Results: Women with GDM were significantly older and had higher body mass index compared to controls. Gestational hypertension and polyhydramnios were more common in the GDM group. Caesarean section rates were substantially higher among women with GDM. Neonates born to mothers with GDM had significantly higher birth weight, increased incidence of macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycaemia, and higher rates of NICU admission. Poor glycaemic control within the GDM group was significantly associated with increased operative delivery and adverse neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: Pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus are associated with increased risk of adverse fetomaternal outcomes. Effective glycaemic control plays a crucial role in improving maternal and neonatal prognosis. Early screening, timely diagnosis, and appropriate management of GDM are essential to reduce pregnancy-related complications, particularly in high-risk populations.