A PREVALENCE OF PRE-TERM LABOR IN GESTATIONAL DIABETES IN NAROWAL POPULATION

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a widespread maternal metabolic syndrome during pregnancy that is linked to high maternal and neonatal morbidity. Preterm labor is one of these factors that contribute significantly to perinatal morbidity and mortality, especially in underdeveloped countries such as Pakistan where there are still limited data.

Objective: To identify the preterm labor prevalence among women with gestational diabetes mellitus in Narowal population.

Methodology: It was a descriptive case series carried out at Sughra Shafi Medical Complex, Narowal from June 2025 to September 2025. Ninety-five pregnant women aged 18-35 years with GDM (based on the WHO criteria) were recruited through non-probability consecutive sampling. The recruited women were followed up until delivery after 28 weeks of gestation period. Patients who had pre-existing diabetes, had had preterm labor in the past or a multiple pregnancy were excluded. The main result was the preterm birth or delivery before 37 gestation weeks. The analysis of data was done in SPSS version 21. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables, while mean ± standard deviation were used for continuous variables. Age, BMI, and parity stratification and post-stratification chi-square test were performed.

Results: Preterm labor was identified to be approximately 15.8% among women with gestational diabetes. There was a higher rate among women with higher BMI and multiparity, and statistical significance was different among subgroups.

Conclusion: Preterm birth is a significant complication of pregnancy complicated by GDM. The outcomes could be lowered by discovering and properly managing high-risk patients early. More multicenter research on large scale basis is suggested.