Behavioral assessment of newborns from diabetic mothers

Nowadays, with correct metabolic and obstetric control, the most likely prognosis in cases of gestational diabetes is a normal outcome of the pregnancy, both for the mother and her child. To determine whether neonates born to mothers with gestational diabetes show any differences in behavior from those born to healthy mothers, the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (BNBAS) was administered to 50 newborns according to the required standards: 15 neonates born to mothers with gestational diabetes (A1 and A2), three born to mothers with diabetes mellitus type I and 32 born to healthy mothers. Diabetes control was determined by means of glycohemoglobin plasma levels (HbA1). BNBAS cluster scores of Habituation, Orientation, Motor Performance, Range of State, Regulation of State and Autonomic Stability showed no statistically significant differences in the two groups of newborns (t-test). Maternal HbA1 values during pregnancy were all within the normal range and showed no correlation with the BNBAS scores of their children. The BNBAS, a highly sensitive instrument, detected no disturbances in neonate behavior. Gestational diabetes, if well monitored during pregnancy, does not appear to affect newborns.