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Weight management linked to better postpartum glycemic control
SAN FRANCISCO — A study examining postpartum fasting plasma glucose during the postpartum period showed that those in a weight management program had better glycemic control than their counterparts, according to a presenter at the American Diabetes Association’s 74th Scientific Sessions.
“An intervention for prenatal and postpartum weight management may improve postpartum glycemia,” Samantha F. Ehrlich, PhD, of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, said during her presentation. “Longer follow-up is needed to estimate its effect on prediabetes or diabetes.”
Ehrlich presented data from a study conducted ancillary to the Diet, Exercise and Breastfeeding Intervention (DEBI) trial. This ancillary study looked at fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum in a subset (n=171) of women, 81 from the intervention group and 90 from the usual care group. The intervention in DEBI was adapted for postpartum women from the Diabetes Prevention Program.
Though there was not a significant difference in FPG at 6 weeks between the two groups, it was 3.8 mg/dL higher in the usual care group as compared to the intervention group at 12 weeks (P=.03). That difference was similar to the difference seen in the overall Diabetes Prevention Program, Ehrlich said.
“FPG increased from pregnancy to 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum in both conditions, emphasizing the need for early diabetes prevention,” Ehrlich said. “At 12 months postpartum, women in the intervention demonstrated less of an increase in FPG than women in usual care.”
For More Information: Ehrlich SF. Abstract 363-OR. Presented at: American Diabetes Association’s 74th Scientific Sessions; June 13-17, 2014; San Francisco.
Disclosures: Ehrlich reports no relevant financial relationships.
