Risk factors for gestational diabetes and prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance six weeks after delivery

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes in pregnancy. Macrosomia is considered as the most important related adverse effect. Pervious GDM and impaired glucose tolerance increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this research work was to investigate the risk factors of GDM. Methods: 48 pregnant women involved with GDM were evaluated and the risk factors were studied. Then, incidence of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes were determined six weeks after delivery. Results: The results showed that 81% of studied women indicated BMI higher than 25, 70% of people were older than 30 years and 58% of them had familial history of type 2 diabetes. The weight gain of women (59%) was higher than desired level during pregnancy and 64% of them needed oral agents and insulin. Six weeks after delivery, IFG and IGT were obtained equal to 6.66 and 3.33 %, respectively. The same values, 3.33%, were determined for IFG and IGT, simultaneously. Also, type 2 diabetes was not detected in the studied cases. Conclusion: It is important to consider the GDM risk factors in the first visit of pregnancy in order to decrease its complications. The encouragement of mothers for healthy nutrition and planned physical activity are necessary to suitable weight gain during pregnancy which is very important in prevention and control of GDM.