ABSTRACT Cuban participation in and contributions to education, medical care and research on diabetes and pregnancy in Latin America dates back to the 1970s when the Latin American Diabetes Association was founded. The Cuban health system and its professionals recognized early the problems presented by diabetes during pregnancy for the health of an expectant mother and her children and assimilated and disseminated important lessons that became influential in the region. These included: importance of adopting a program within primary health care that offers national coverage for diabetic pregnant women, with a special focus on pre-conception monitoring of diabetic women; benefits of defining a specific range for application of a fasting glucose test to identify risk of gestational diabetes through selective screening for the disease; using insulin to treat gestational diabetes; controlling excessive weight at the beginning and during pregnancy; and underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary treatment of diabetes in pregnancy. The goal was to improve care and research in reproductive health for diabetic pregnant women and their children in Cuba.

ABSTRACT Gestational diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder affecting pregnant women and its prevalence is on the rise. Prevalence in Cuba is about 5.8%, and global prevalence ranges from 2% to 18% depending on the criteria applied. Gestational diabetes can lead to adverse gestational outcomes, such as fetal death, preterm delivery, dystocia, perinatal asphyxia and neonatal complications. Prompt, accurate diagnosis allowing early treatment can benefit both mother and child. The disease is asymptomatic, so clinical laboratory testing plays a key role in its screening and diagnosis. Cuba’s approach to diabetes screening and diagnosis differs from some international practices. All pregnant women in Cuba are screened with a fasting plasma glucose test and diagnosed using modified WHO criteria. Some international recommendations are to skip the screening step and instead follow the diagnostic criteria of the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes study. In Cuba, gestational outcomes for women with diabetes (including gestational diabetes) are satisfactory (preeclampsia 5%; preterm delivery 12%; neonatal macrosomia 7.5%; congenital abnormalities 4.3% and perinatal deaths 4.8%). These data do not indicate a need to change established screening and diagnostic criteria.

INTRODUCTION Fetal macrosomia is the most important complication in infants of women with diabetes, whether preconceptional or gestational. Its occurrence is related to certain maternal and fetal conditions and negatively affects maternal and perinatal outcomes. The definitive diagnosis is made at birth if a newborn weighs >4000 g. OBJECTIVE Identify which maternal and fetal conditions could be macrosomia predictors in infants born to Cuban mothers with gestational diabetes. METHODS A case-control study comprising 236 women with gestational diabetes who bore live infants (118 with macrosomia and 118 without) was conducted in the América Arias University Maternity Hospital, Havana, Cuba, during 2002–2012. The dependent variable was macrosomia (birth weight >4000 g). Independent maternal variables included body mass index at pregnancy onset, overweight or obesity at pregnancy onset, gestational age at diabetes diagnosis, pregnancy weight gain, glycemic control, triglycerides and cholesterol. Fetal variables examined included third-semester fetal abdominal circumference, estimated fetal weight at ≥28 weeks (absolute and percentilized by Campbell and Wilkin, and Usher and McLean curves). Chi square was used to compare continuous variables (proportions) and the student t test (X ± SD) for categorical variables, with significance threshold set at p <0.05. ORs and their 95% CIs were calculated. RESULTS Significant differences between cases and controls were found in most variables studied, with the exception of late gestational diabetes diagnosis, total fasting cholesterol and hypercholesterolemia. The highest OR for macrosomia were for maternal hypertriglyceridemia (OR 4.80, CI 2.34–9.84), third-trimester fetal abdominal circumference >75th percentile (OR 7.54, CI 4.04–14.06), and estimated fetal weight >90th percentile by Campbell and Wilkin curves (OR 4.75, CI 1.42–15.84) and by Usher and McLean curves (OR 8.81, CI 4.25–18.26). CONCLUSIONS Most variables assessed were predictors of macrosomia in infants of mothers with gestational diabetes. They should therefore be taken into account for future studies and for patient management. Wide confidence intervals indicate uncertainty about the magnitude of predictive power.

Diabetes mellitus is the metabolic disease that more often complicates pregnancy and even emerges during pregnancy, namely gestational diabetes mellitus. Adequate preconceptional care to woman with diabetes mellitus remarkably reduces the risk of congenital malformations in the child. The pregnant women with some risk factor of this disease should be screened for gestational diabetes mellitus. Cuba follows the modified criteria of the World Health Organization to diagnose the disease. The pregnant women suffering this condition require special obstetric and endocrine care. Diabetes mellitus has negative impact on the child of a diabetic mother at short, medium and long terms. Likewise, those women with gestational diabetes mellitus have the risk of developing diabetes mellitus in the future, mainly the type 2.

La diabetes mellitus constituye la enfermedad metabólica que con mayor frecuencia complica el embarazo, pudiendo aparecer, incluso, durante este (diabetes mellitus gestacional). Una atención preconcepcional adecuada a la mujer con diabetes mellitus disminuye ostensiblemente el riesgo de malformaciones congénitas en el hijo de madre diabética. Debe hacerse la pesquisa de la diabetes mellitus gestacional, fundamentalmente, en las embarazadas que presentan algún factor de riesgo de esta enfermedad. En Cuba, se utilizan para su diagnóstico los criterios de la Organización Mundial de Salud modificados. Las mujeres embarazadas con diabetes mellitus requieren de una atención obstétrico-endocrinológica especial. La diabetes mellitus repercute de forma negativa en el hijo de madre diabética, a corto, mediano y largo plazo. Asimismo, las mujeres con diabetes mellitus gestacional tienen riesgo de presentar en un futuro una diabetes mellitus, sobre todo, de tipo 2.

Establishment, progressive development, expansion and organization of Cuba's National Comprehensive Diabetes and Pregnancy Program is described, including changes in related health services since 1959. Currently implemented throughout the country, the Program is supervised by a working group and addresses diabetic women's reproductive health and care during pregnancy. The importance of preconception care for diabetic women is emphasized, as well as the need to increase Program uptake nationally, including screening for gestational diabetes in primary care.

Introduction: traditionally the anthropometric indexes have been used to assess the nutritional status of the pregnant. Objective: to conduct a descriptive-retrospective study to assess the nutritional status of a group of diabetic pregnants. Methods: a total of 1 891 diabetic pregnants was studied, from them 1 211 presenting with gestational diabetes mellitus y 680 with pre-gestational diabetes during 13 years (1994-2006). Information was collected in an Excel sheet processing it in the Microsoft Access 2000 database and p < 0,05 was considered statistically significant. Results: it was noted that the weight gain in the diabetic pregnant was influenced by age, parity and body mass index (BMI) of pregnant and the degree of metabolic control exerted throughout pregnancy with differences in some variables between the pregnants with gestational diabetes mellitus and those with pre-gestational diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: according our results and trying to achieve newborn with a normal weight, the pregnant with gestational diabetes mellitus con a optimal metabolic control must to show a weight gain related to its BMI and it will fluctuate between 10 and 12 kg and those with pre-gestational diabetes this increase will fluctuate between 7 and 12 kg.

Introducción: tradicionalmente se han utilizado índices antropométricos para evaluar el estado nutricional de la mujer embarazada. Objetivo: realizar un estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo con la intención de evaluar el estado nutricional de un grupo de gestantes con diabetes. Métodos: se estudiaron un total de 1 891 gestantes con diabetes, de ellas 1 211 con Diabetes Mellitus Gestacional y 680 pregestacionales en un período de 13 años (1994-2006). La información se recogió en una hoja Excel y se procesó la misma en la base de datos Microsoft Access 2000. Se aplicó el paquete estadístico de SSPS y se aceptó como significativamente estadístico cuando fue la p < 0,05. Resultados: se detectó que la ganancia de peso en embarazada con diabetes estuvo influenciada por su edad, la paridad, el índice de masa corporal y el grado de control metabólico ejercido a lo largo de la gestación, con diferencias en algunas de estas variables entre las diabéticas mellitus gestacionales y las pregestacionales. Conclusión: según nuestros resultados, con la intención de obtener recién nacidos de normopeso corporal, las diabéticas mellitus gestacionales con óptimo control metabólico deben tener una ganancia de peso en relación con su índice de masa corporal y este oscilará entre 10 y 12 kg, y en las pregestacionales ese aumento oscilará entre 7 y 12 kg.

OBJECTIVE: to report the perinatal and maternal morbimortality corresponding to this degree of glucose intolerance detected during pregnancy and that together with the diagnosis of Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) has been classified as Prediabetes. METHODS: the maternal and perinatal results were studied in 9 patients with non-pathological respond at the second hour of the OGTT ( 7.8 mmol/L-140 mg/dL), but who fulfilled the criteria of impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) according to the World Health Organization (6.1 to 6.9 mmol/L-110 to 125 mg/dL) more than once. RESULTS: in 4 of the patients it was necessary the treatment with Novonordisk human regular insulin at doses ranging from 0.5 Ud/kg of ideal body weight to 1.6 Ud. 50 % of the newborn infants presented excess of neonatal body weight. One of them with a weight over 4 000 g developed a symptomatic hypoglycaemia. A congenital anomaly (hydrocepaly) and two menaces of pretem delivery with need of anticalcic treatment were detected. CONCLUSION: Impaired fasting glycaemia according to our results has a severe impact on maternal and perinatal morbidity

OBJETIVO: reportar la morbi-mortalidad perinatal y materna de este grado de intolerancia a la glucosa detectada durante el embarazo y que conjuntamente con el diagnóstico de Tolerancia a la Glucosa Alterada (TGA), se ha calificado de Prediabetes. MÉTODOS: se estudiaron los resultados maternos y perinatales en 9 pacientes con resultado de la 2da. hora de la PTGo no patológica (menos de 7,8 mmo/L-140 mg/dL), pero que sí reunían criterios de Glucemia alterada en ayunas (GAA) según la OMS (6,1 a 6,9 mmol/L-110 a 125 mg/dL), en más de una ocasión. RESULTADOS: en 4 de las pacientes fue necesario tratamiento con insulina regular humana Novonordisk a dosis que fluctuaron de 0,5 Ud/kg de peso corporal ideal a 1,6 Ud. El 50 % de los RN presentaron exceso de peso corporal neonatal y 1 de ellos resultó superior a los 4 000 g, el cual desarrolló una hipoglucemia sintomática. Se detecta una anomalía congénita (Hidrocefalia), y 2 amenazas de parto pretérmino con necesidad de tratamiento anticálcico. CONCLUSIÓN: la Glucemia alterada en ayunas (GAA) según nuestros resultados repercute severamente en la morbilidad materna y perinatal

An observational analytical case-control study was carried out aimed at determining the frequency of neonatal macrosomy and at identifying its connection with the metabolic control degree, gestational age at which diabetes mellitus was diagnosed, the body mass index at the beginning of gestation, as well as its impact on maternal and perinatal morbidity in pregnancy complicated with diabetes. 279 diabetic pregnants (33 pregestational and 256 gestational) were studied. All of them gave birth a live newborn from 2003 to 2006, when they received attention at the Service of Diabetes and Pregnancy of "América Arias" Gynecoobstetric Hospital. The population was divided into 2 big groups: the diabetics that had a macrosomic newborn and those who did not (261 and 28 pregnants, respectively). The following variables were analyzed: gestational age at which diabetes melitus was diagnosed (only among the pregnant diabetics), body mass index at the beginning of pregnancy, metabolic control degree, presence of polyhydramnios, type of delivery and Apgar score of the infant on the first minute and on the fifth minute. The frequency of neonatal macrosomy was 9.6 %. 25 % of the diabetic expectants with macrosomic offspring had a poor metabolic control, 64.2 % were overweight, 10.7 % had polyhidramnios, and 96.4 % underwent cesarean. In the specific case of the gestational diabetics with macrosomic children, 84 % were diagnosed late. No low Apgar score was found in the group of macrosomic neonates.

Se realizó una investigación observacional analítica de tipo caso-control con el objetivo de determinar la frecuencia de la macrosomía neonatal, e identificar su relación con el grado de control metabólico, la edad gestacional a la que se diagnóstico la diabetes durante el embarazo, y el índice de masa corporal al inicio de la gestación, así como su repercusión en la morbilidad materna y perinatal en el embarazo complicado con diabetes. Se estudiaron 279 gestantes diabéticas (33 pregestacionales y 256 gestacionales) que fueron todas las que parieron un recién nacido vivo durante el período 2003-2006, cuando fueron atendidas en el Servicio de Diabetes y Embarazo del Hospital Ginecoobstétrico "América Arias". La población fue dividida en 2 grandes grupos: las diabéticas que tuvieron un recién nacido macrosómico y las que no (261 y 28 gestantes, respectivamente). Se analizaron las variables siguientes: edad gestacional a la que se diagnosticó la diabetes (solo en las diabéticas gestacionales), índice de masa corporal al inicio del embarazo, grado de control metabólico, presencia de polihidramnios, tipo de parto, y Apgar del recién nacido al minuto y a los 5 min. La frecuencia de la macrosomía neonatal fue de 9,6 %. El 25 % de las gestantes diabéticas con hijos macrosómicos tuvieron un mal control metabólico, el 64,2 %, sobrepeso corporal y el 10,7 polihidramnios, mientras que el 96,4 % parió por cesárea. En el caso específico de las diabéticas gestacionales con hijos macrosómicos, en el 84 % se diagnosticó tardíamente la enfermedad. No se encontró Apgar bajo en el grupo de los neonatos macrosómicos.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the factors predisposing the hypoglycaemic accident during pregnancy in pregestational diabetic women and its maternal and perinatal repercussion. METHODS: 175 pregnant women affected by pregestational diabetes (73 B, 22 C, 66 D, 4 F, 1 H, 5 R, y 4 F-R) were retrospectively studied from 2001 to 2006. All of them were under dietetic and insulin treatment. The latter was applied by the method described by professors Valdés Amador and Márquez Guillén. The maternal and perinatal results were comparatively analyzed among those who suffered the accident and those who did not, for which we used Fisher's chi square test with a significance of p< 0.05. RESULTS: a hypoglycaemic accident was detected in 78 patients (44.6 %). It was mild in 54 (30.9 %) and severe in 24 (13.7 %). Hypoglycaemia was more significantly frequent in type-1 diabetic women aged 25 or under, nuliparous, with low or normal body weight and with some grade of vascular lesion. No impact was detected on perinatal morbimortality, and no congenital anomalies were observed as a result of the complication. CONCLUSIONS: type-1 diabetic women with some grade of vascular lesion and with low or normal body weight are proner to the accident due very probably to the reported loss of counterregulatory hormonal reaction.

OBJETIVO: analizar los factores que predisponen al accidente hipoglucémico durante el embarazo en diabéticas pre-gestacionales y su repercusión materna y perinatal. MÉTODOS: se estudiaron retrospectivamente 175 embarazadas diabéticas pre-gestacionales (73 B, 22 C, 66 D, 4 F, 1 H, 5 R, y 4 F-R) en el período 2001-2006, todas estuvieron sometidas a tratamiento dietético e insulínico y este último aplicado según el método descrito por los profesores Valdés Amador y Márquez Guillén. Los resultados maternos y perinatales se analizan comparativamente entre las que sufrieron del accidente y las que no, para lo cual utilizamos el test X² de Fisher con un significado de p< 0,05. RESULTADOS: se detectó un accidente hipoglucémico en 78 pacientes (44,6 %), de ellas, calificado de leve en 54 (30,9 %) y en 24 (13,7 %) de grave. La frecuencia de hipoglucemia resultó significativamente más frecuente en las diabéticas tipo 1, de 25 años o menos, nulíparas, con bajo o normo peso corporal y algún grado de lesión vascular presente. No detectamos repercusión en morbi-mortalidad perinatal, ni anomalías congénitas por motivo de la complicación. CONCLUSIONES: las embarazadas diabéticas tipo 1, con algún grado de lesión vascular y de bajo o normo peso corporal son más propensas al accidente muy probablemente por la reportada pérdida de la reacción hormonal contrarregulatoria.

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.

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.

All diabetic women at fertile age (from 15 to 45 years) classified in two health areas of Havana City were surveyed. They were asked about their active sexual life, the present or previous use of contraceptives (including sterilization), and about their current wish to get pregnant. The case-base study was distributed according to the above mentioned elements so as to apply measures in each group as part of a family planning program for diabetic women. Sterilization and intrauterine devices were the most used contraceptive methods. Almost a third of the group did not use any of these methods at the time of the study. It is expressed the need to promote the use of barrier methods in diabetic nulliparas, and it is recommended the use of intrauterine devices among diabetic women with one or more children.

Se realiza una encuesta a todas las mujeres diabéticas en edad fértil (de 15 a 45 años) dispensarizadas en 2 áreas de salud de Ciudad de La Habana. Se les interroga acerca de si tenían o no vida sexual activa, uso actual y/o previo de contraceptivos (incluso esterilización) y su deseo actual o no de embarazarse. El grupo de estudio se distribuyó de acuerdo con la vida sexual, esterilización y deseo de embarazo para aplicar medidas en cada grupo como parte de un programa de planificación familiar de la mujer diabética. Los métodos contraceptivos más utilizados fueron la esterilización y los dispositivos intrauterinos, casi un tercio del grupo no utilizaba ningún método contraceptivo en el momento del estudio. Se plantea la necesidad de fomentar el uso de los métodos de barrera en diabéticas nulíparas, y se recomienda el uso de dispositivos intrauterinos en mujeres diabéticas con 1 o más hijos.