COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may modestly increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a recent retrospective cohort study reveals. Researchers analyzed medical claims data from over 173,000 pregnancies ending between March 2020 and October 2022, uncovering key differences in GDM risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The study matched 57,675 pregnant individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 by the 21st gestational week to 115,350 uninfected counterparts. Participants were grouped by age range, pregnancy start month, and encounter year-month to ensure comparable baselines.
The findings show a 12% higher risk of GDM among those who had COVID-19 during pregnancy (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08–1.15). The risk varied significantly across racial and ethnic groups, with Hispanic individuals showing the highest association (aRR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.10–1.24), followed by non-Hispanic Black (aRR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.07–1.24) and non-Hispanic White (aRR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04–1.14) groups.
Timing within the pandemic also influenced the degree of risk. Pregnancies affected by COVID-19 during the pre-Delta period showed a higher GDM risk (aRR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.11–1.24) compared to those during the Omicron period (aRR = 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.13). The Delta period (aRR = 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04–1.17) fell between the two. Overall, adjusted risk differences across all models ranged from 0% to 2%, suggesting a modest but notable increase in GDM risk.
The researchers emphasize that these results, based on medical claims data, underline the need for systematic testing to confirm and refine these associations. The findings provide a critical foundation for understanding how SARS-CoV-2 may impact maternal and fetal health, urging clinicians to monitor pregnant patients with COVID-19 for potential complications, including GDM.
Reference: Rincón-Guevara O et al. Association Between SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes: A Claims-based Cohort Study. Clin Infect Dis. 2024;79(16):1386-93.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
