Insulin pump dosing across gestation in women with well-controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Oct;207(4):324.e1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2012.06.029.

Abstract

Objective: We hypothesized that bolus and basal insulin doses in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus who use insulin pumps would increase 2-fold to maintain hemoglobin A1c <6.5% across gestation.

Study design: This was a retrospective study of 9 women with type 1 diabetes mellitus with preconceptional hemoglobin A1c ≤ 7.4% using insulin pumps. The primary outcome was absolute and percentage change of basal and bolus insulin from preconception to delivery.

Results: Total daily dose of insulin increased from 33.3 ± 7.8 U/d before conception to 93.5 ± 27.9 U/d at delivery. Basal rates rose modestly (50% increase, from 16.2 ± 6.5 U/d to 24.0 ± 9 U/d); bolus insulin doses quadrupled from 17.1 ± 6.1 U/d to 69.5 ± 29.6 U/d (P = .0001). Bolus insulin increased from approximately 50% of total daily dose of insulin before conception to 75% of total daily dose of insulin at 36 weeks' gestation.

Conclusion: In well-controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus, insulin requirements increased 3-fold from before conception to 36 weeks' gestation. Most of this requirement was attributed to an increase in bolus rates that are required for control with meals.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Infusion Pumps, Implantable
  • Insulin / administration & dosage
  • Insulin / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin Infusion Systems*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy in Diabetics / drug therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin