BACKGROUND Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorder complicating pregnancy. Infants born to diabetic mothers (IDMs) are at increased risk of serious complications compared to those of nondiabetic mothers. This study focuses on various clinical, metabolic and haematological complications of infants of diabetic mothers, both gestational and pregestational diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS This hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted in Krishna Institute of Medical

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... ciences Deemed University, Karad, Maharashtra, over a period of 9 months duration. 25 infants of diabetic mothers admitted to the NICU were included in the study. Maternal history regarding diabetes mellitus was obtained and complete neonatal examination was performed and recorded. Relevant biochemical and haematological tests as well as echocardiography was conducted in all the neonates. RESULTS Of the 25 neonates, 21 (84%) were born to mothers with gestational diabetes and 4 (16%) were born to mothers with pregestational diabetes. Most of them, 14 (56%) were delivered by normal vaginal delivery. 2 (8%) were born prematurely. Majority of them were AGA (68%). The most common haematological and metabolic abnormalities recorded were hypoglycaemia (32%), polycythaemia (56%) and hyperbilirubinaemia (48%). Congenital malformations were seen in 28% babies in the form of heart disease. There were no neonatal deaths in our study. CONCLUSION Maternal diabetes has an adverse effect on foetal growth, glucose metabolism, oxygenation and preparation for extrauterine life. Our study suggests that hypoglycaemia and polycythaemia remain the most common complication in infants of diabetic mothers. They are also at a greater risk for congenital heart diseases.