Diabetic pregnancy outcomes in mothers treated with basal insulin lispro protamine suspension or NPH insulin: a multicenter retrospective Italian study

Objective: The aim of this study was to study the efficacy and safety of long-acting insulin analog insulin lispro protamine suspension (ILPS) in diabetic pregnant women.

Methods: In a multicenter observational retrospective study, we evaluated pregnancy outcome in 119 women affected by type 1 diabetes and 814 with gestational diabetes (GDM) treated during pregnancy with ILPS, compared with a control group treated with neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH) insulin.

Results: Among type 1 diabetic patients, fasting blood glucose at the end of pregnancy was significantly lower in ILPS-treated than in NPH-treated patients. HbA1c levels across pregnancy did not differ between groups. Caesarean section and preterm delivery rates were significantly lower in the ILPS-women. Fetal outcomes were similar in the ILPS and NPH groups. Among GDM women, fasting blood glucose at the end of pregnancy was significantly lower in ILPS-treated than in NPH-treated patients. Duration of gestation was significantly longer, caesarian section and preterm delivery rates were lower in the ILPS-treated group. In addition, there were significantly fewer babies with an excessive ponderal index or neonatal hypoglycemic episodes in the ILPS group than in the NPH group.

Conclusions: Association of ILPS with rapid-acting analogs in pregnancy is safe in terms of maternal and fetal outcomes.