Potential risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in females undergoing in vitro fertilization: a pilot study

Background: Most of the cases of hyperglycemia during pregnancy are attributed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (75-90%). Women diagnosed with GDM are at an increased risk for complications during pregnancy and delivery. This observational prospective study aimed to investigate the potential risk of GDM among Egyptian females following in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies compared to spontaneous pregnancies (SC).

Methods: This prospective cohort study included normoglycemic females without any history of dysglycemia before this conception. Subjects were divided according to the type of conception into two age and BMI-matched groups: (IVF group): 55 pregnant females conceived by IVF, and (SC group) spontaneous pregnancy: 55 pregnant females conceived spontaneously. A one-step oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at gestational weeks 20 and 28 for all study subjects.

Results: The incidence of GDM was statistically significantly higher in the IVF group compared to the spontaneous pregnancy (SC) group (20 and 5.5%, respectively), p = 0.022 at week 28. On comparing the incidence of GDM on early screening at week 20 in both groups, the incidence of GDM in the IVF group was significantly higher (16.4%) compared to (3.6%) in the spontaneous pregnancy (SC) group, p = 0.026.

Conclusions: IVF may have an increased potential risk for GDM. Moreover, the diagnosis of GDM may occur early (week 20), highlighting the need for precise and early screening for GDM in IVF pregnancies.