Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glycemic levels during pregnancy: A retrospective analysis

Abstract: Studies on the COVID-19 pandemic effects on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remain limited and controversial. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the glycemic balance of pregnant women and GDM risk. To this aim, a single-center retrospective cohort analysis assessing glucose homeostasis using the oral glucose tolerance test in 862 pregnant women before (from March 9, 2019 to March 8, 2020 – Group 1), during (from March 9, 2020 to March 8, 2021 – Group 2), and after (from March 9, 2021 to March 8, 2022 – Group 3) the COVID-19 lockdown in Molise, a region of central Italy, was conducted. We observed that the blood glucose concentration of pregnant women was significantly lower during the COVID-19 lockdown than during the previous and following years at all time points evaluated (time 0, 60′, and 120′). Specifically, at time 0, it was 82.14 mg/dl for group 2 vs 85.94 for group 1 (p = 0.0001) and 85.87 for group 3 (p = 0.001). Similarly, at 60′, it was 121.38 mg/dl for group 2 vs 129.30 mg/dl for group 1 (p = 0.0029) and 131.68 mg/dl for group 3 (p = 0.0006). Moreover, at 120′, it was 104.20 mg/dl for group 2 vs 111.51 mg/dl (p = 0.0004) for group 1, and 116.06 mg/dl for group 3 (p = 0.0001). In contrast with previous findings, the COVID-19 lockdown was associated with an improved glycemic balance. Further studies are needed to better clarify the influence of lockdown restrictions on glucose metabolism and, consequently, on GDM risk.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glycemic levels during pregnancy: A retrospective analysis ; volume:18 ; number:1 ; year:2023 ; extent:6 ; Open medicine ; 18, Heft 1 (2023) (gesamt 6)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Di Zazzo, Erika ; Davinelli, Sergio ; Panichella, Serena ; Scapagnini, Giovanni ; Intrieri, Mariano ; Garofalo, Silvio

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/med-2023-0862
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023120813043083813449
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:23 AM CEST