Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
Gestational diabetes affects 3-10% of pregnancies, based on the population set examined. Gestational diabetes is a treatable condition and with adequate control of glucose levels woman can effectively decrease these risks.
Screening
As the symptoms of Gestational Diabetes remain very unclear so doctors suggest all pregnant patients should be screened for gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. Screening can be done with many techniques out of which one happens to be laboratory screening (the oral glucose tolerance test.
Causes
As such very specific causes have not come in light but it is believed that the hormones which are observed during pregnancy increase a woman's resistance to insulin, which ultimately results in impaired glucose tolerance. Major factors which are relevant in relation to GDM are given below
A. Preexistence Factor Impaired glucose tolerance, prediabetes
B. Genetic Factor Some direct relative with type 2 diabetes
C. Age Factor As the usual target is 35 plus age group
D. Obesity factor Obesity leads to any form of diabetes
E. Pregnancy History Factor A previous pregnancy which resulted in a child with a high birth weight
F. Pregnancy period Factor Smoking multiplies the risk
Effect on the newborn and mother herself
Women who are tested positive with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of delivering a baby with growth abnormalities and chemical imbalances. So the babies are born with more than normal or less than normal weight for that gestational age. Scientifically such babies are termed as LGA (Large for gestational age) and SGA (Small for gestational age) respectively. The babies born to women who suffer gestational diabetes have an increased risk of jaundice and low blood sugar levels.
The mother becomes prone to type 2 diabetes after pregnancy period. One of the longest studies followed a group of women from Boston, Massachusetts; half of them developed diabetes after 6 years, and more than 70% had diabetes after 28 years. In a retrospective study in Navajo women, the risk of diabetes after GDM was estimated to be 50 to 70% after 11 years. Another study found a risk of diabetes after GDM of more than 25% after 15 years In populations with a low risk for type 2 diabetes, in lean subjects and in patients with auto-antibodies, there is a higher rate of women developing type 1 diabetes.
Diet Plan
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes then you must consult your doctor regarding your diet plan. as words of caution you should avoid eating foods that contain a lot of simple sugar, such as cake, cookies, candy or ice cream instead eating foods which contain natural sugars, are advisable. Depending upon how much weight you gain during your pregnancy, you should be advised by your doctor to follow the prescribed diet plan.
Gestational diabetes affects 3-10% of pregnancies, based on the population set examined. Gestational diabetes is a treatable condition and with adequate control of glucose levels woman can effectively decrease these risks.
Screening
As the symptoms of Gestational Diabetes remain very unclear so doctors suggest all pregnant patients should be screened for gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. Screening can be done with many techniques out of which one happens to be laboratory screening (the oral glucose tolerance test.
Causes
As such very specific causes have not come in light but it is believed that the hormones which are observed during pregnancy increase a woman's resistance to insulin, which ultimately results in impaired glucose tolerance. Major factors which are relevant in relation to GDM are given below
A. Preexistence Factor Impaired glucose tolerance, prediabetes
B. Genetic Factor Some direct relative with type 2 diabetes
C. Age Factor As the usual target is 35 plus age group
D. Obesity factor Obesity leads to any form of diabetes
E. Pregnancy History Factor A previous pregnancy which resulted in a child with a high birth weight
F. Pregnancy period Factor Smoking multiplies the risk
Effect on the newborn and mother herself
Women who are tested positive with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of delivering a baby with growth abnormalities and chemical imbalances. So the babies are born with more than normal or less than normal weight for that gestational age. Scientifically such babies are termed as LGA (Large for gestational age) and SGA (Small for gestational age) respectively. The babies born to women who suffer gestational diabetes have an increased risk of jaundice and low blood sugar levels.
The mother becomes prone to type 2 diabetes after pregnancy period. One of the longest studies followed a group of women from Boston, Massachusetts; half of them developed diabetes after 6 years, and more than 70% had diabetes after 28 years. In a retrospective study in Navajo women, the risk of diabetes after GDM was estimated to be 50 to 70% after 11 years. Another study found a risk of diabetes after GDM of more than 25% after 15 years In populations with a low risk for type 2 diabetes, in lean subjects and in patients with auto-antibodies, there is a higher rate of women developing type 1 diabetes.
Diet Plan
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes then you must consult your doctor regarding your diet plan. as words of caution you should avoid eating foods that contain a lot of simple sugar, such as cake, cookies, candy or ice cream instead eating foods which contain natural sugars, are advisable. Depending upon how much weight you gain during your pregnancy, you should be advised by your doctor to follow the prescribed diet plan.
0 comments:
Post a Comment