OBSTETRIC AND NEONATAL COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This study aims to identify the main obstetric and neonatal complications associated with gestational diabetes mellitus through an integrative literature review. The methodology involved a comprehensive search in the LILACS, BDENF and SciELO databases, using the descriptors: gestational diabetes, pregnancy complications and maternal and child health, as well as their alternative terms. The inclusion criteria permeated studies published between 2019 and 2024, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, discarding literature reviews, experience reports, dissertations, and theses, as well as research that did not meet the objective of the study. It began with an initial sample of 28,198 articles and after applying the filters and other methodological criteria, 10 studies were selected to compose the final sample and analysis. The results obtained revealed that the most frequent complications in neonates of mothers with GDM include neonatal hypoglycemia, macrosomia, and respiratory distress syndrome. In addition, fetal macrosomia represented a risk factor for traumatic births, shoulder dystocia, and bleeding complications. It was noticed that strict glycemic control and adequate follow-up during pregnancy are essential to reduce complications associated with GDM. The contributions of this study strengthen clinical practice by providing subsidies for the development of protocols for the management of GDM in the obstetric and neonatal context.