Search Here

Gestational diabetes is a pregnancy complication that occurs when a pregnant woman's blood sugar levels increase significantly. This condition can be harmful for both mother and child if it is left unmonitored. In a new study, researchers examined the incidence rate within the United States and found that as many as one in 10 moms-to-be develop gestational diabetes.

"Our results indicate that gestational diabetes prevalence is high in the U.S.," said lead researcher Carla DeSisto, an epidemiology research fellow at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In this study, DeSisto and her team examined data taken from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System questionnaire and state birth certificate records. They compared the rates of two time periods, which were 2007 to 2008 and 2009 to 2010. The researchers found no differences in the rate of gestational diabetes during these times. However, they did find that the prevalence rate was high at around 4.6 to 9.2 percent. Due to the potential complications from gestational diabetes, the researchers stressed the importance of taking preventive measures.

"Women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes have more than a seven-fold increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the five to 10 years after delivery. Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes are also more likely to develop pre-diabetes," DeSisto said according to Medical Xpress.

Even though researchers are not sure what exactly causes gestational diabetes, they have identified obesity as a major risk factor. The researcher stated that preventing obesity could be key in reducing one's risk of developing the condition.

"You have to control your diet. You have to eat healthy. You have to have some level of physical activity, so frequent exercise is important," Dr. Alessandro Acosta, a neonatologist at Miami Children's Hospital, stated.

The study, "Prevalence Estimates of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the United States, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 2007-2010," was published in the journal, Preventing Chronic Disease.