Assessment of neonatologists' competency in managing gestational diabetes complications: a cross-sectional analysis from China

BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) significantly impacts long-term child health outcomes. This study assessed neonatologists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding GDM-related complications in offspring.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 1,614 neonatologists in Hubei Pro...

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Main Authors: Yi Yang, Yao Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1574480/full
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author Yi Yang
Yao Yang
author_facet Yi Yang
Yao Yang
author_sort Yi Yang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) significantly impacts long-term child health outcomes. This study assessed neonatologists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding GDM-related complications in offspring.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 1,614 neonatologists in Hubei Province, China, utilized a validated 28-item questionnaire examining knowledge (12 items), attitudes (8 items), and practices (8 items). Responses were scored on a trichotomous scale. Binary logistic regression analyzed predictors of satisfactory performance across domains.ResultsAmong 1,614 neonatologists, 1,437 (89%) demonstrated satisfactory knowledge, 1,513 (94%) positive attitudes, and 1,165 (72%) good practices. Knowledgeable practitioners were significantly older (45.4 vs 36.2 years; OR 1.42 [95% CI 1.40-1.44]; p<.001) with greater experience (13.8 vs 10.5 years; 1.41 [1.35-1.46]; p<.001). Academic hospital affiliation showed higher competency versus community settings (0.12 [0.08-0.20]; p<.001). Practice patterns varied by education, with MD-PhD holders demonstrating higher odds of good practice (1.32 [1.03-1.71]; P=.032) compared with fellowship training (0.69 [0.51-0.92]; p=.009). Universal documentation of maternal GDM coexisted with suboptimal rates of periodic evaluations (81%) and specialist referrals (84%). Knowledge competency (7.52 [5.90-9.60]; p<.001) and positive attitudes (15.81 [9.90-25.26]; p<.001) strongly predicted practice patterns.ConclusionsDespite high knowledge levels and positive attitudes, particularly among experienced practitioners in academic settings, implementation gaps exist in follow-up protocols and specialist referrals. Practice setting significantly influences care delivery, suggesting the need for standardized protocols across healthcare tiers.
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spelling doaj-art-291bad4beea6434dbdbb564b8f4643262025-08-20T03:15:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-07-011610.3389/fendo.2025.15744801574480Assessment of neonatologists' competency in managing gestational diabetes complications: a cross-sectional analysis from ChinaYi YangYao YangBackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) significantly impacts long-term child health outcomes. This study assessed neonatologists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding GDM-related complications in offspring.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 1,614 neonatologists in Hubei Province, China, utilized a validated 28-item questionnaire examining knowledge (12 items), attitudes (8 items), and practices (8 items). Responses were scored on a trichotomous scale. Binary logistic regression analyzed predictors of satisfactory performance across domains.ResultsAmong 1,614 neonatologists, 1,437 (89%) demonstrated satisfactory knowledge, 1,513 (94%) positive attitudes, and 1,165 (72%) good practices. Knowledgeable practitioners were significantly older (45.4 vs 36.2 years; OR 1.42 [95% CI 1.40-1.44]; p<.001) with greater experience (13.8 vs 10.5 years; 1.41 [1.35-1.46]; p<.001). Academic hospital affiliation showed higher competency versus community settings (0.12 [0.08-0.20]; p<.001). Practice patterns varied by education, with MD-PhD holders demonstrating higher odds of good practice (1.32 [1.03-1.71]; P=.032) compared with fellowship training (0.69 [0.51-0.92]; p=.009). Universal documentation of maternal GDM coexisted with suboptimal rates of periodic evaluations (81%) and specialist referrals (84%). Knowledge competency (7.52 [5.90-9.60]; p<.001) and positive attitudes (15.81 [9.90-25.26]; p<.001) strongly predicted practice patterns.ConclusionsDespite high knowledge levels and positive attitudes, particularly among experienced practitioners in academic settings, implementation gaps exist in follow-up protocols and specialist referrals. Practice setting significantly influences care delivery, suggesting the need for standardized protocols across healthcare tiers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1574480/fullgestational diabetes mellitusprevalenceneonatologyKAPChina cardiomyopathyalongside significantly
spellingShingle Yi Yang
Yao Yang
Assessment of neonatologists' competency in managing gestational diabetes complications: a cross-sectional analysis from China
Frontiers in Endocrinology
gestational diabetes mellitus
prevalence
neonatology
KAP
China cardiomyopathy
alongside significantly
title Assessment of neonatologists' competency in managing gestational diabetes complications: a cross-sectional analysis from China
title_full Assessment of neonatologists' competency in managing gestational diabetes complications: a cross-sectional analysis from China
title_fullStr Assessment of neonatologists' competency in managing gestational diabetes complications: a cross-sectional analysis from China
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of neonatologists' competency in managing gestational diabetes complications: a cross-sectional analysis from China
title_short Assessment of neonatologists' competency in managing gestational diabetes complications: a cross-sectional analysis from China
title_sort assessment of neonatologists competency in managing gestational diabetes complications a cross sectional analysis from china
topic gestational diabetes mellitus
prevalence
neonatology
KAP
China cardiomyopathy
alongside significantly
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1574480/full
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