Gestational diabetes is the most common pregnancy complication the world over; currently pregnant women beyond 24 weeks are tested
Testing for gestational diabetes before the 14th week of pregnancy can minimise complications at a later stage, researchers have reported in The Lancet. Currently pregnant women are checked for diabetes post the 24th week.
World over about one in 14 pregnant women develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
which is characterised by blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not as high as in people with a chronic blood sugar problem. The sugar levels usually normalise after delivery.
“Our new Series emphasises the urgent need for a major shift in how GDM is first diagnosed and managed, not only during pregnancy but throughout the lifetime of mothers and their babies,” said Series lead Prof. David Simmons of Western Sydney University, Australia. “GDM is an increasingly complex condition, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to managing it. Instead, a patient’s unique risk factors and metabolic profile should be considered to help guide them through pregnancy and support them afterward to achieve the best health outcomes for women and babies everywhere.”
As obesity continues to increase worldwide, along with impaired glucose tolerance and T2D rates in women of reproductive age, GDM prevalence has also increased two to threefold across multiple countries over the last 20 years. The current GDM prevalence rates range from over 7% in North America and the Caribbean region to almost 28% in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Doctors from Delhi”s All India Institute of Medical Sciences also participated in the study. “GDM is a tremendous public health challenge. Women who experience it need support from the medical community, policymakers, and society as a whole to ensure they can effectively access proper treatment, reduce the stigma associated with GDM, and improve their overall pregnancy experience,” said Series author Dr Yashdeep Gupta of the All India Institute of Medical Science.
