Corticosteroid Therapy on Glucose Control in Pregnant Women With Diabetes

Preterm birth occurs in 25% of women with insulin requiring diabetes in pregnancy. The administration of corticosteroid therapy to accelerate fetal lung maturation is indicated in women at risk for preterm birth. Although corticosteroid therapy significantly decreases the risk for respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn, such therapy can lead to transient elevations in maternal glucose levels, potentially resulting in life-threatening maternal metabolic abnormalities, low oxygen levels in the fetus, and in extreme cases, stillbirth. Because the elevations in glucose levels may drastically increase over a short period of time, intense monitoring of maternal glucose levels to achieve strict glycemic control and treatment is preferred with the use of insulin. The purpose of this study is to compare the timing, duration and severity of maternal hyperglycemia after corticosteroid administration in women with insulin-requiring diabetes compared to those without diabetes in pregnancy.

This is a prospective, observational study. Hourly glucose levels will be obtained for a total of 7 days after corticosteroid administration using the Dexcom Seven continuous glucose monitoring system. In addition, hemoglobin A1C will be obtained to assess the overall level of glycemic control of the participant prior to the corticosteroid therapy.

The study group will include pregnant women > 18 years of age with insulin-requiring diabetes who will receive corticosteroid therapy to accelerate fetal lung maturation between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. Only those women not in active labor and with singleton gestations will be included. A control group will be comprised of pregnant women with singleton gestations without insulin-requiring diabetes who will receive corticosteroid therapy also to accelerate fetal lung maturation.

Women will be excluded if they have diet controlled diabetes, twins or higher gestation, are in active labor and anticipate imminent delivery, were previously on any form of steroid therapy, or who have or will be receiving beta-adrenergic medications.