Pregnancy and Diabetes

A 2014 study by the Centers for Disease Control estimates gestational diabetes rates are as high as 9.2% annually in the US. Women with gestational diabetes are at a high risk of developing pregnancy and delivery complications and experience a 7-fold increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Children of mothers with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop impaired glucose tolerance and metabolic complications.We present 3 recent studies that discuss the topics of pregnancy and diabetes and ways to potentially reduce the risk of diabetes for both the mother and child.Source: DeSisto CL, et al. Prevalence estimates of gestational diabetes mellitus in the United States, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 2007–2010. Prev Chronic Dis. 2014;11:130415.Additional Sources:Blustein J, et al. Time to consider the risks of caesarean delivery for long term child health. BMJ. 2015;350:h2410.Diesel JC, et al. Moderate exercise helps prevent gestational diabetes and reduces weight gain during pregnancy. BJOG. 3 June 2015.Retnakaran R. Fetal sex and the natural history of maternal risk of diabetes during and after pregnancy. JCEM. 20 May 2015.Mothers of sons more likely to develop diabetes during pregnancy. MedicalXpress. 20 May 2015.