Continuous Glucose Monitoring-Derived Differences in Pregnancies With and Without Adverse Perinatal Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)-derived glycemic patterns observed throughout pregnancy were associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, specifically fetal growth disorders and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of individuals with viable singleton pregnancies and screening hemoglobin A1c levels less than 6.5%. Those with preexisting diabetes were excluded. Enrollment occurred at the earliest gestational age before 17 weeks. Participants wore blinded continuous glucose monitors consecutively as willing until delivery. Those with at least 14 days of CGM data were included in analysis. Rates of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) neonates, small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates, and HDP were assessed. Continuous glucose monitoring-derived glycemic metrics were calculated, including mean glucose level and percent time above and below thresholds. Two-sample t tests were used to compare glycemic metrics between participants with and without adverse perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: Of 937 participants enrolled, 760 met inclusion criteria. Those delivering LGA neonates or who were diagnosed with HDP had higher mean glucose levels (102±9 vs 100±8, P=.01 and 103±8 vs 99±8, P<.001) and spent more time above 120 mg/dL (median 16% vs 12%, P=.006, and 16% vs 12%, P<.001, respectively) and above 140 mg/dL (median 3.9% vs 2.8%, P=.006, and 3.5% vs 2.8%, P<.001, respectively) throughout gestation than those without these outcomes. These findings were present regardless of gestational diabetes mellitus status. Participants with SGA neonates had lower mean glucose levels (97±7 vs 101±8, P=.01) and spent less time above 140 mg/dL (median 1.6% vs 2.3%, P=.01) and more time below 63 mg/dL (median 3.0% vs 2.3%, P=.02) than those without SGA neonates. CONCLUSION: Individuals with LGA neonates or HDP exhibit a slightly higher mean glucose levels and spend more time hyperglycemic in early pregnancy than those who do not experience these outcomes.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Profiles in Pregnancies With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)-derived glycemic patterns can characterize pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as diagnosed by standard oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks' gestation compared with those without GDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The analysis includes 768 individuals enrolled from two sites prior to 17 weeks' gestation between June 2020 and December 2021 in a prospective observational study. Participants wore blinded Dexcom G6 CGMs throughout gestation. Main outcome of interest was a diagnosis of GDM by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Glycemic levels in participants with GDM versus without GDM were characterized using CGM-measured glycemic metrics. RESULTS: Participants with GDM (n = 58 [8%]) had higher mean glucose (109 ± 13 vs. 100 ± 8 mg/dL [6.0 ± 0.7 vs. 5.6 ± 0.4 mmol/L], P < 0.001), greater glucose SD (23 ± 4 vs. 19 ± 3 mg/dL [1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.1 ± 0.2 mmol/L], P < 0.001), less time in range 63-120 mg/dL (3.5-6.7 mmol/L) (70% ± 17% vs. 84% ± 8%, P < 0.001), greater percent time >120 mg/dL (>6.7 mmol/L) (median 23% vs. 12%, P < 0.001), and greater percent time >140 mg/dL (>7.8 mmol/L) (median 7.4% vs. 2.7%, P < 0.001) than those without GDM throughout gestation prior to OGTT. Median percent time >120 mg/dL (>6.7 mmol/L) and time >140 mg/dL (>7.8 mmol/L) were higher as early as 13-14 weeks of gestation (32% vs. 14%, P < 0.001, and 5.2% vs. 2.0%, P < 0.001, respectively) and persisted during the entire study period prior to OGTT. CONCLUSIONS: Prior to OGTT at 24-34 weeks' gestation, pregnant individuals who develop GDM have higher CGM-measured glucose levels and more hyperglycemia compared with those who do not develop GDM.

Glucose levels measured with continuous glucose monitoring in uncomplicated pregnancies.

INTRODUCTION: To characterize glucose levels during uncomplicated pregnancies, defined as pregnancy with a hemoglobin A1c <5.7% (<39 mmol/mol) in early pregnancy, and without a large-for-gestational-age birth, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, or gestational diabetes mellitus (ie, abnormal oral glucose tolerance test). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Two sites enrolled 937 pregnant individuals aged 18 years and older prior to reaching 17 gestational weeks; 413 had an uncomplicated pregnancy (mean±SD body mass index (BMI) of 25.3±5.0 kg/m2) and wore Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices throughout the observed gestational period. Mealtimes were voluntarily recorded. Glycemic levels during gestation were characterized using CGM-measured glycemic metrics. RESULTS: Participants wore CGM for a median of 123 days each. Glucose levels were nearly stable throughout all three trimesters in uncomplicated pregnancies. Overall mean±SD glucose during gestation was 98±7 mg/dL (5.4±0.4 mmol/L), median per cent time 63-120 mg/dL (3.5-6.7 mmol/L) was 86% (IQR: 82-89%), median per cent time <63 mg/dL (3.5 mmol/L) was 1.8%, median per cent time >120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L) was 11%, and median per cent time >140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) was 2.5%. Mean post-prandial peak glucose was 126±22 mg/dL (7.0±1.2 mmol/L), and mean post-prandial glycemic excursion was 36±22 mg/dL (2.0±1.2 mmol/L). Higher mean glucose levels were low to moderately associated with pregnant individuals with higher BMIs (103±6 mg/dL (5.7±0.3 mmol/L) for BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2 vs 96±7 mg/dL (5.3±0.4 mmol/L) for BMI 18.5-<25 kg/m2, r=0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Mean glucose levels and time 63-120 mg/dL (3.5-6.7 mmol/L) remained nearly stable throughout pregnancy and values above 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) were rare. Mean glucose levels in pregnancy trend higher as BMI increases into the overweight/obesity range. The glycemic metrics reported during uncomplicated pregnancies represent treatment targets for pregnant individuals.