Context Falling insulin requirement often leads to considerations of whether the pregnancy can continue safely or if delivery is indicated. Objective To evaluate prevalence and predictors of falling insulin requirement in pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes delivering preterm and explore the relationship to fetal asphyxia and neonatal morbidity. Methods Prospective cohort study of 101 consecutive singleton pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes delivering preterm <37 weeks (68 type 1 and 33 type 2 diabetes) where the prevalence of falling insulin requirement (≥20%) before delivery was recorded. Results In total, 27% (27/101) experienced falling insulin requirement of median 30% (interquartile range 24-40) before delivery. In all women with type 1 diabetes the prevalence was 37% (25/68) while it was 43% (24/56) in those with indicated preterm delivery and 6% (2/33) among women with type 2 diabetes. In women with type 1 diabetes and indicated preterm delivery, falling insulin requirement was first identified at 34 +5 (33 +6-35 +4) weeks +days and delivery occurred 3 (1-9) days later. Gestational age at delivery, prevalence of suspected fetal asphyxia and neonatal morbidity were similar in women with and without falling insulin requirement. Neither glycemic control, nausea, or preeclampsia were associated with falling insulin requirement. Conclusion Falling insulin requirement often preceded preterm delivery in women with type 1 diabetes, foremost when preterm delivery was indicated, but was not related to fetal asphyxia or neonatal morbidity. Whether falling insulin requirement in late pregnancy is a warning sign of placental insufficiency or mainly reflects variations in normal physiology needs further investigation.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of faster-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) vs. insulin aspart (IAsp) on fetal growth and glycemic control in pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Methods: In a single-center, open-label trial from November 2019 to May 2022 women were stratified by diabetes type and insulin treatment modality (multiple daily injections or insulin pump) and randomized to faster aspart or IAsp from 8 to 13 weeks. Primary outcome was offspring birthweight standard deviation (SD) score. Secondary outcomes included mild hypoglycemia (managed by the woman) in the previous week, HbA1c at inclusion, 21, 33, and 35 weeks, and severe hypoglycemia (requiring third party assistance) reported in a structured interview. Results: In total, 216 women were included and randomized to faster aspart or IAsp (n=109 vs. n=107). Baseline data were comparable in both groups. Primary outcome data were available in 94% (71% type 1 (of which 19% on insulin pump), 29% type 2 diabetes). Offspring birthweight SD score was median 0.7 (interquartile range -0.3-2.0) vs. 1.1 (0.4-1.9), mean difference -0.2 (95% confidence interval -0.6-0.1), p=0.23 with 41% vs. 46% large for gestational age infants (p=0.39). From randomization to delivery 1 (1%) vs. 7 (7%) women reported severe hypoglycemia (p=0.07) with fewer events reported by women using faster aspart compared to IAsp (1 vs. 10 events, p=0.03). At 33 weeks, women using faster aspart reported fewer mild hypoglycemic events in the previous week compared to IAsp (2.0 (0.8 - 4.0) vs. 3.0 (1.0 - 5.0), p=0.03), while HbA1c was 41 (38-46) vs. 43 (39-46) mmol/mol, p=0.28. Prevalence of preeclampsia was 15% vs. 12% (p=0.51) and preterm delivery <37 weeks 19% vs. 22% (p=0.64). No perinatal deaths were reported. Conclusion: In pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, use of faster aspart resulted in comparable fetal growth and HbA1c with less severe hypoglycemia compared to IAsp. Disclosure S.K.Noergaard: Research Support; Novo Nordisk A/S. E.R.Mathiesen: Advisory Panel; Novo Nordisk, Research Support; Novo Nordisk, Speaker's Bureau; Novo Nordisk. K.Nørgaard: Advisory Panel; Medtronic, Novo Nordisk, Research Support; Medtronic, Dexcom, Inc., Novo Nordisk, Zealand Pharma A/S, Speaker's Bureau; Medtronic, Novo Nordisk, Stock/Shareholder; Novo Nordisk. T.D.Clausen: None. J.Søholm: Research Support; Novo Nordisk A/S. P.Holmager: None. N.C.Do: Research Support; Novo Nordisk Foundation. P.Damm: Other Relationship; Novo Nordisk A/S. L.Ringholm: Research Support; Novo Nordisk A/S. Funding Novo Nordisk A/S (U1111-1209-6358)
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