The effect of plasma glucose variability on neonatal outcome in the pregnant diabetic patient.

Maternal glucose variability was studied in 154 pregnant diabetic patients hospitalized during the last month of their pregnancies. By means of several statistical analyses of the coefficient of variation for within-day plasma glucose variability, we found as follows. (1) There was a significant association between maternal glucose variability and neonatal outcome. (2) Patients with greater glucose variability had more episodes of hyperglycemia, but not hypoglycemia. (3) There was no correlation between maternal glucose variability and the birth weight of the infant. We are proposing the use of an index for glucose variability to monitor glucose control in pregnancy and predict neonatal outcome. Although absence of glucose variability will not ensure prevention of neonatal complications, there is a clear association between greater glucose variability and neonatal complications.