Exposure to maternal diabetes during pregnancy is associated with worse short-term neonatal and neurological outcomes following perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Abstract

Background Infants of diabetic mothers are at higher risk of perinatal morbidities but the impact of maternal diabetes on neonatal and neurological outcomes of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains poorly described. Objectives To determine the association between maternal diabetes with outcomes following HIE. Methods A retrospective study including term neonates with HIE who received therapeutic hypothermia treatment between 2013–2020. Results Neonates with HIE and maternal diabetes exposure had lower gestational age at birth (P = 0.005) and higher birth weight (P = 0.012). Infants of diabetic mothers were ventilated longer (P = 0.0047) and had a longer neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay (P = 0.0483) as well as longer time to reach full oral feed (P = 0.0432). Maternal diabetes was associated with increased risk of death or abnormal neurological examination at discharge in neonates with HIE (OR 6.41). Conclusion In neonates with HIE, maternal diabetes is associated with an increased risk of death or short-term neonatal morbidities.