(September 30, 2009 - Insidermedicine)

Treating mild gestational diabetes does not increase the likelihood that the baby will survive, but it does reduce the risk of some troublesome complications of pregnancy and delivery, according to a trial published in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Here is some information about gestational diabetes:

•    It is a condition in which pregnant women develop abnormally high levels of blood sugar

•    Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes can be excessively large and/or have increased birth weight

•    Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at higher risk for breathing problems

Researchers from Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus randomly assigned nearly 1,000 women in their 24th to 30th weeks of pregnancy and who were suffering from mild gestational diabetes to one of two groups. The first group received special treatment consisting of diet advice, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, and insulin, if needed. The second group received the usual care given to pregnant women.

While there were no differences between the two groups of women with respect to rates of stillborn infants or infants who died around the time of birth, the women in the special treatment group did experience some benefits. Their babies were less likely to be born excessively large or have increased birth weight This reduced the risk of having difficulties in labor associated with very large babies, including the need for caesarian deliveries. The specially-treated women also had lower rates of high blood pressure as well as a potentially serious complication of pregnancy known as preeclampsia.

Today's research demonstrates that while treating mild gestational diabetes may not save lives, it can make labor and delivery easier and reduce the risk of having an excessively large baby.