New Delhi, According to researchers, controlling gestational diabetes in the early stages of pregnancy could help prevent complications and improve birth outcomes.
Among the most common pregnancy complications worldwide, cases of gestational diabetes are on the rise and becoming more complex due to rising obesity, said the authors of a new series published in the journal The Lancet.
The international team of researchers, including those from the Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, said the condition affects one in seven pregnancies worldwide and is usually tested and treated in the late second or third trimester. .
If left untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to high blood pressure, increased risk of cesarean section, mental health problems and complications for the baby during delivery, they said.
The authors added that the pregnancy-related condition could also increase the mother's chances of developing health complications later in life, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
According to the authors, evidence suggests that the reasons for developing gestational diabetes may exist before pregnancy and that metabolic changes, such as those in glucose and blood pressure, can be detected early in pregnancy (before 14 weeks).
They have therefore called for urgently incorporating strategies, including earlier testing and diagnosis, to prevent and manage gestational diabetes. This could reduce complications of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as reduce the risk of women developing other health conditions later in life, they said.
"(Gestational diabetes) is a tremendous public health challenge. Women suffering from it need the support of the medical community, policymakers and society as a whole to ensure they can effectively access appropriate treatment, reduce the stigma associated with (the condition) and improve your overall pregnancy experience," said series author Dr. Yashdeep Gupta of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
The authors found that between 30 and 70 percent of women who have gestational diabetes experience high blood glucose levels from the early stages of pregnancy (20 weeks or earlier). These women were also found to have worse outcomes, compared to those who developed the condition later in their pregnancy.
In studies in which gestational diabetes was not effectively controlled, the authors found that these women had higher risks of preterm birth (51 percent), birth of larger babies (57 percent), and cesarean delivery (16 percent). .
Additionally, women with gestational diabetes were found to have a 10 times higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life compared to those who do not experience the pregnancy-related condition, and it could possibly be accompanied by hypertension, fatty liver, and a higher risk. of heart diseases.
The authors called for early testing for gestational diabetes in women with risk factors, ideally before 14 weeks of gestation.
They also suggested improving postpartum care, including screening for blood sugar levels after meals.
The authors also urged annual screening for women with previous gestational diabetes to prevent future complications, along with more research into this medical condition.
Among the most common pregnancy complications worldwide, cases of gestational diabetes are on the rise and becoming more complex due to rising obesity, said the authors of a new series published in the journal The Lancet.
The international team of researchers, including those from the Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, said the condition affects one in seven pregnancies worldwide and is usually tested and treated in the late second or third trimester. .
If left untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to high blood pressure, increased risk of cesarean section, mental health problems and complications for the baby during delivery, they said.
The authors added that the pregnancy-related condition could also increase the mother's chances of developing health complications later in life, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
According to the authors, evidence suggests that the reasons for developing gestational diabetes may exist before pregnancy and that metabolic changes, such as those in glucose and blood pressure, can be detected early in pregnancy (before 14 weeks).
They have therefore called for urgently incorporating strategies, including earlier testing and diagnosis, to prevent and manage gestational diabetes. This could reduce complications of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as reduce the risk of women developing other health conditions later in life, they said.
"(Gestational diabetes) is a tremendous public health challenge. Women suffering from it need the support of the medical community, policymakers and society as a whole to ensure they can effectively access appropriate treatment, reduce the stigma associated with (the condition) and improve your overall pregnancy experience," said series author Dr. Yashdeep Gupta of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
The authors found that between 30 and 70 percent of women who have gestational diabetes experience high blood glucose levels from the early stages of pregnancy (20 weeks or earlier). These women were also found to have worse outcomes, compared to those who developed the condition later in their pregnancy.
In studies in which gestational diabetes was not effectively controlled, the authors found that these women had higher risks of preterm birth (51 percent), birth of larger babies (57 percent), and cesarean delivery (16 percent). .
Additionally, women with gestational diabetes were found to have a 10 times higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life compared to those who do not experience the pregnancy-related condition, and it could possibly be accompanied by hypertension, fatty liver, and a higher risk. of heart diseases.
The authors called for early testing for gestational diabetes in women with risk factors, ideally before 14 weeks of gestation.
They also suggested improving postpartum care, including screening for blood sugar levels after meals.
The authors also urged annual screening for women with previous gestational diabetes to prevent future complications, along with more research into this medical condition.
