Effect of epidural labor analgesia on maternal and infant outcomes in parturients with gestational diabetes mellitus—A prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is caused by a variety of factors and associated with increased risks of several adverse outcomes for both mothers and infants. However, the effects of epidural labor analgesia in parturients with GDM on maternal and infant outcomes have not been characterized.MethodsAccording to parturients' choice, they were divided into the epidural group (n = 133) and no epidural (control) group (n = 135). Data for relative variables in the perinatal period were collected, and the potential associations of epidural labor analgesia with infant outcomes were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe rate of neonatal admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for hypoglycemia was higher in the epidural group (7.52%) than in the control group (1.48%; P