AUTHOR=Li Gehui , Qi Xiaofei , Tan Xuhong , Wu Mingguang , Wang Hao , Wen Ping , Huang Xiaolei , Li Yuantao TITLE=Effect of epidural labor analgesia on maternal and infant outcomes in parturients with gestational diabetes mellitus—A prospective cohort study JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics VOLUME=10 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2022.1022291 DOI=10.3389/fped.2022.1022291 ISSN=2296-2360 ABSTRACT=Background

The occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is caused by a variety of factors and associated with increased risks of several adverse outcomes for both mothers and infants. However, the effects of epidural labor analgesia in parturients with GDM on maternal and infant outcomes have not been characterized.

Methods

According to parturients' choice, they were divided into the epidural group (n = 133) and no epidural (control) group (n = 135). Data for relative variables in the perinatal period were collected, and the potential associations of epidural labor analgesia with infant outcomes were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

The rate of neonatal admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for hypoglycemia was higher in the epidural group (7.52%) than in the control group (1.48%; P < 0.05). Epidural labor analgesia and drug-based diabetes control were independent predictors of the rate of neonate transfer to the NICU for hypoglycemia.

Conclusion

Epidural labor analgesia was associated with an increased risk of neonatal transfer to the NICU for hypoglycemia. Thus, monitoring of neonatal blood glucose levels after administration of epidural labor analgesia in parturients with GDM may be beneficial.

Trial registration: The study was registered in the China Clinical Registration Center (Registration No. ChiCTR-OOC-17013164, Registered on 30 October 2017).