This document discusses gestational diabetes, including:
- Gestational diabetes affects approximately 16% of pregnant women in India each year, or around 3-4 million cases.
- Around 30% of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, and over 50% within 20 years.
- Risk factors include Asian ethnicity, being overweight, family history of diabetes, and prior pregnancy complications.
- Screening involves an oral glucose tolerance test between 24-34 weeks of pregnancy to check glucose levels 2 hours after consuming glucose.
- Treatment focuses on diet, exercise, medication or insulin to control blood sugar levels, along with monitoring by a doctor.
2. Backdrop
• India has approx. 62.4 million diabetics and this number is likely
to increase to 101 million by 2030
• It is estimated that about 16% of women who get pregnant
every year develop diabetes during gestation period
• Considering the deliveries per annum being twenty-seven
million, it is estimated that about three to four million women
suffer from Gestational Diabetes every year
• Of these three million women - 30% go on to develop type-2
diabetes in 5-10 years, and more than 50% become diabetic
over a period of 20 years
3. Diabetes in India
• Over 62 million diabetics; likely to increase to over 100
million by 2030
• ~ 16% pregnant women develop diabetes during gestation
period
• 3 to 4 million women suffer from Gestational Diabetes every
year
• ~ 30% develop type-2 diabetes in 5-10 years; > 50% become
diabetic over a period of 20 years
4. Risk Factors
• Asian / Indian women ethnically more prone to get diabetes
• Overweight women (age group 30-39, 20% more than ideal
body weight)
• Family history of diabetes (parents or siblings)
• Women with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• Previously delivered a large baby or a stillborn
• Having too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)
• Gestational diabetes in previous pregnancy
5. Screening for Gestational Diabetes
• Normal detection process - WHO recommended OGTT (oral
glucose tolerance test). Glucose levels measured 2hrs after
giving 75gms of glucose drink. Level ≥ 140mg/dl warrants
doctor consultation.
• DIPSI (Diabetes in Pregnancy Study group India) has come up
with modified OGTT. This test should be done during first visit
to doctor’s clinic and repeated at 24-28 weeks and again at 32 -
34 weeks to diagnose and incorporate early intervention
6. Treatment
DIPSI stresses on the following guidelines to manage gestational
diabetes:
• Good glycemic control by providing psychological support and
educating patients about the impact on child and maternal
health
• Self-monitoring of blood sugar (SMBG) using glucometers a
better option in comparison to infrequent lab testing
• Target glucose level at Fasting – 90, 2hr PP – 140mg/dl
• At least weekly monitoring should be encouraged
7. Normal sugar or Euglycaemia is achieved by:
• Diet
• Exercises
• Oral medicines
• Insulin
Any diabetic treatment and medication must be taken only in
consultation with your Gynecologist/ Physician. Self-
medication can be dangerous. Also consult your doctor &
dietician about the type of exercises and diet.
… Treatment
8. Diet
• Carbohydrate, Proteins and, Fats adjusted as per Caloric
requirements depending on age, activity, pre-pregnancy
weight and stage of pregnancy
• Approx.300 cal. above basal requirement is ideal to gain
optimum recommended weight i.e. (normal weight 10-12kg,
BMI ≥30,0-5 kg)
• Emphasis on overall healthy food choices (portion control &
good cooking practices) and carbohydrate controlled meal
plan
• The carbohydrates that produce small fluctuation in blood
glucose and insulin levels (low Glycemic index foods) are
recommended
9. Find out more about Gestational
Diabetes – risk factors, screening
tests, appropriate diet measures, and
treatment methods at Healnt.
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