20% pregnant women have gestational diabetes: Study

Lucknow: Diet counselling and sugar control is what doctors advise pregnant women as every fifth expectant mother in the city is at the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy.
A study conducted by gynaecology and medicine departments of King George’s Medical University revealed that about 20% of the subjects tested positive for GDM.On the eve of World Diabetes Day, doctors stressed the need to create awareness about the problem.
“GDM complicates 3.4% of all pregnancies globally and 90% these cases are definitely associated with a significantly increased maternal and perinatal morbidity. All complications associated with GDM are potentially preventable if diagnosed early,” said Dr Smriti Agarwal of Queen Mary’s Hospital which would be holding a public lecture on the issue.
Dr Kausar Usman of medicine department informed that 50% of the women diagnosed with gestational diabetes eventually develop type-2 diabetes in their 40s. A significant number of children born to these mothers may also develop type-2 diabetes in their late 30s or 40s. “This problem is sure to contribute tremendously to prevalence of diabetes mellitus in India. Agencies like World Health Organisation and International Diabetes foundation have already predicted that India is sitting on a diabetes hot bed,” he said.
The two doctors therefore stated that screening of all pregnant women for GDM was essential. They also suggested that mothers should go in for diet counselling and balanced intake of sugar to keep the trouble away.