Severe birth injuries in neonates and associated risk factors for injury in mothers with different types of diabetes in Finland

Abstract

Objective: To examine severe birth-related injuries in neonates among mothers with different types of diabetes. Methods: Retrospective cohort study based on Finnish Medical Birth Register data from 2004 to 2017. The study included singleton neonates born vaginally with cephalic presentation (n = 623 649) after 35+0 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome variable was severe birth injury. Incidences, crude and adjusted odds ratios, and probabilities in regression analysis were calculated for different types of diabetes. Results: There were 1952/623 649 (0.3%) severe birth injuries of which brachial plexus injury occurred most frequently. The injury incidence was highest in neonates of women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, 42/1659 (2.5%) and 10/548 (1.8%), respectively. For gestational diabetes, the injury incidence was comparable to non-diabetic women: 422/77 810 (0.5%) and 1478/543 632 (0.3%), respectively. Shoulder dystocia, high birthweight, and vacuum-assisted delivery were associated with the highest probability for injury. Birthweight and obesity had a stronger impact on injury risk in women with pregestational diabetes compared to other pregnancies. Conclusion: Neonates of women with pregestational diabetes have a higher risk for severe birth injury than other neonates. The injury risk in neonates delivered by women with gestational diabetes or non-diabetic women is generally low.