According to researchers from the University of Copenhagen, doctors can predict potentially poor pregnancy outcomes using HbA1c and glucose testing. The results of the study were published in the Journal of Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Medicine.
Ninety-one pregnant women with early pregnancy complications and 259 pregnant women with late pregnancy complications were included in the study. Early pregnancy complications were defined as fetal death before 22 weeks and congenital defects. Late pregnancy complications were defined as perinatal death, preeclampsia, and preterm birth.
Patients suffering late pregnancy complications were more likely to suffer albuminuria in early pregnancy. Albuminuria is a form of proteinuria where albumin is found in urine. Higher than normal HbA1c levels were also associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. In all, 18 women suffered severe fetal malformation or fetal death in early pregnancy. Early pregnancy complications were not associated with hypoglycemia.
Source: Damm P, Mersebach H, Råstam J, Kaaja R, Hod M, McCance DR, Mathiesen ER. Poor pregnancy outcome in women with type 1 diabetes is predicted by elevated HbA1c and spikes of high glucose values in the third trimester. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2013 May 21.
