The effect of chronic steroid therapy on glucose tolerance in pregnancy

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1988 Sep;159(3):612-5. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(88)80019-x.

Abstract

We analyzed the records of 26 pregnant patients receiving chronic steroids to assess the combined effect of pregnancy and glucocorticoid administration on glucose tolerance. Five patients (19.2%) developed diabetes mellitus, four of whom required insulin. In a pregnant control group of 1325 patients, 53 patients (4.0%) developed diabetes mellitus, five of whom required insulin. Glucose intolerance was significantly higher in the steroid-treated group (p = 0.003). Comparison with a nonpregnant steroid-treated control group (47 patients, 15% of whom developed diabetes mellitus) showed no significant different (p = 0.23) between the two. All pregnant steroid-treated patients developing diabetes mellitus began steroid therapy after conception, whereas none of the patients receiving steroid therapy before conception developed glucose intolerance (p = 0.012). There does not appear to be an additive effect of steroid treatment and pregnancy on glucose intolerance; however, all patients receiving steroids should undergo periodic glucose screening.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Glucose Tolerance Test*
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy in Diabetics / metabolism

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids