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World J Obstet Gynecol. Aug 10, 2013; 2(3): 42-46
Published online Aug 10, 2013. doi: 10.5317/wjog.v2.i3.42
Intrapartum application of the continuous glucose monitoring system in pregnancies complicated with diabetes: A review and feasibility study
Vicentia C Harizopoulou, Panagiotis Tsiartas, Dimitrios G Goulis, Dimitrios Vavilis, Grigorios Grimbizis, Theodoros D Theodoridis, Basil C Tarlatzis
Vicentia C Harizopoulou, Dimitrios G Goulis, Dimitrios Vavilis, Grigorios Grimbizis, Theodoros D Theodoridis, Basil C Tarlatzis, Unit for Human Reproduction, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Ring Road, Nea Efkarpia, 54603 Thessaloniki, Greece
Panagiotis Tsiartas, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41685 Göteborg, Sweden
Author contributions: Harizopoulou VC and Tsiartas P contributed to analysis and interpretation of the data; Goulis DG contributed to the conception and design; Vavilis D contributed to critical revision of the article; Grimbizis G and Theodoridis TD contributed to the collection and assembly of data; Tarlatzis BC contributed to the final approval of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Vicentia C Harizopoulou, Midwife, MSc, PhDc, Unit for Human Reproduction, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Ring Road, Nea Efkarpia, 54603 Thessaloniki, Greece. vikentiaha@yahoo.com
Telephone: +30-2313-323131 Fax: +30-2310-991520
Received: December 23, 2012
Revised: April 21, 2013
Accepted: May 18, 2013
Published online: August 10, 2013
Processing time: 205 Days and 19.9 Hours
Abstract

Intrapartum maternal normoglycemia seems to play an important role in the prevention of adverse perinatal, maternal and neonatal outcomes. Several glucose monitoring protocols have been developed, aiming to achieve a tight glucose monitoring and control. Depending on the type of diabetes and the optimal or suboptimal glycemic control, the treatment options include fasting status of the parturient, frequent monitoring of capillary blood glucose, intravenous dextrose infusion and subcutaneous or intravenous use of insulin. Continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) is a relatively new technology that measures interstitial glucose at very short time intervals over a specific period of time. The resulting profile provides a more comprehensive measure of glycemic excursions than intermittent home blood glucose monitoring. Results of studies applying the CGMS technology in patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) have revealed new insights in glucose metabolism. Moreover, CGMS have a potential role in the improvement of glycemic control during pregnancy and labor, which may lead to a decrease in perinatal morbidity and mortality. In conclusion, the use of CGMS, with its important technical advantages compared to the conventional way of monitoring, may lead into a more etiological intrapartum management of both the mother and her fetus/infant in pregnancies complicated with DM.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Pregnancy; Intrapartum management; Glucose monitoring protocols; Continuous glucose monitoring system

Core tip: In pregnancies complicated with diabetes, intrapartum maternal normoglycemia seems to play an important role in the prevention of adverse perinatal outcomes. Several glucose monitoring protocols have been developed, aiming to achieve a tight glucose monitoring and control intrapartum. The continuous glucose monitoring system is a relatively new technology; its intrapartum application in pregnancies complicated with diabetes is feasible, allows for a closer observation of glucose concentrations and is expected to lead to a more etiological management of both the mother and her fetus/infant.