2026, Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part A

Background: Diabetes during pregnancy is a prevalent metabolic disorder associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity. Infants of diabetic mothers are at higher risk of metabolic disturbances, perinatal complications, and altered anthropometric outcomes. Despite advances in management, data from Bangladesh on immediate neonatal outcomes remain limited.

Aim of the study: To evaluate the immediate clinical and biochemical outcomes of neonates born to diabetic mothers admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study enrolled 95 neonates of diabetic mothers admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, from January 2017 to June 2018. Data on demographics, maternal therapy, neonatal anthropometrics, clinical findings, and biochemical parameters were collected using structured forms. Blood glucose, serum calcium, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and bilirubin levels were measured, and SPSS version 26 was used for statistical analysis. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages, continuous variables as mean ± SD, and associations were assessed using chi-square tests and odds ratios with corresponding p-values.

Result: Male neonates predominated (62.0%). Perinatal asphyxia (26.3%) and jaundice (23.2%) were common. Biochemical complications included hypoglycemia (53.7% at 0.5 h), hypocalcemia (21.1%), hyperbilirubinemia (18.9%), and polycythemia (25.3%). Macrosomia occurred in 31.6% of neonates, while low birth weight was 3.2%. Neonatal hypoglycemia was most prevalent within the first hour of life and decreased over 72 hours. No significant association was observed between maternal insulin therapy and neonatal hypoglycemia (p=0.59; OR=0.73).