Preconception care in diabetes: Predisposing factors and barriers. / Control preconcepcional en la diabetes: factores predisponentes y barreras.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Preconception care has been shown to decrease the risk of pregnancy-related complications in women with diabetes, but many women do not plan their pregnancies. Our aim was to identify the associated factors and barriers related to involvement of these women in preconception care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty women with pregestational diabetes (28 with type 1 diabetes) and 50 non-diabetic pregnant women were consecutively enrolled at our hospital. They completed a questionnaire, and their medical histories were reviewed. RESULTS: All 33 patients with diabetes who received preconception care had a similar current age (34.3±5.3 years) and age at diagnosis (20.3±11.3) than those with no preconception care (n=17) (31.8±5.3 and 19.1±10.6 years respectively; P>.1), but were more frequently living with their partners (97% vs. 70.6%; P=.014), employed (69.7% vs. 29.4%; P=.047), and monitored by an endocrinologist (80.6% vs. 50%; P=.034), had more commonly had previous miscarriages (78.6% vs. 10%; P=.001), and knew the impact of diabetes on pregnancy (87.5% vs. 58.8%; P=.029). The frequency of preconceptional folic acid intake was similar in pregnant women with and without diabetes (23.8% vs. 32%; P>.1). CONCLUSIONS: Preconception care of diabetic patients is associated to living with a partner, being employed, knowing the risks of pregnancy-related complications, having previous miscarriages, and being monitored by an endocrinologist. Pregnancy planning is infrequent in both women with and without diabetes.

Control preconcepcional de la paciente diabética / Pregestational control of the diabetic patient

Se realizó una amplia revisión de los cuidados que debe recibir una mujer diabética antes de que decida embarazarse. Es necesario lograr un control metabólico adecuado previo a la gestación para evitar la aparición de malformaciones fetales, que pueden presentarse si existe hiperglicemia durante el período de embriogénesis del embarazo. También es importante precisar la existencia de complicaciones crónicas de la diabetes mellitus y su grado, dado que algunas deben ser corregidas antes del embarazo, o en dependencia de la severidad o del tipo, pudieran desaconsejarlo. Se hace imprescindible además, brindar orientación anticonceptiva a estas mujeres mientras esperan el momento más adecuado para enfrentar la gestación. En este trabajo se recogen las experiencias en relación con este tema y las pautas de acción en la consulta de Riesgo Materno Preconcepcional de la Mujer Diabética.

An extensive literature review of the care that should be given to a diabetic woman before pregnancy was made. It is necessary to have an adequate metabolic control prior to gestation in order to avoid fetal malformation that may occur if hyperglycemia is present in the pregnancy embriogenesis term. It is similarly important to determine chronic complications of diatebes mellitus and their level of impact, given that some of these problems must be solved before pregnancy and, according to severity and type of the complication, a woman may even be advised against pregnancy. It is also essential to provide these women with contraceptive guidance while they are waiting for the most suitable time to get pregnant. This paper reflected the experience gained and the actions taken in the Pregestational Maternal Risk of the Diabetic Women medical consultation service.