More and more pregnant women are now developing gestational diabetes very early on in the pregnancy, even in the first trimester, and new studies show this trend is rising worldwide, especially in South Asian women. Let’s dig deeper…What is early gestational diabetesGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) starts off as high blood sugar which appears for the first time during pregnancy, before disappearing after childbirth. The medical condition known as early gestational diabetes (early GDM or eGDM) appears, when doctors find elevated blood sugar levels during the first pregnancy trimester, or before week 20 of pregnancy, instead of the standard screening which takes place between weeks 24 and 28. Doctors use blood tests such as an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or HbA1c to diagnose it.New evidence: It starts in the first trimesterResearch conducted in various nations has proven that GDM begins its development process before the standard 16-week pregnancy timeline. The STRiDE study, which followed over 3,000 women in India, the UK and Kenya, reported early GDM in around one in five women, slightly higher than GDM diagnosed later in pregnancy. News reports summarising these findings suggest that, taken together, new Indian data show roughly one in four pregnant women may have early GDM, with South Asian women at particularly high risk.Rising numbers across the globeMultiple countries throughout different geographic regions now experience increasing numbers of new cases. The Louisiana Medicaid pregnancy study showed that GDM prevalence increased from 10% in 2016 to 15% in 2020, before staying at this level throughout 2021. The Mexican national study showed that GDM cases increased continuously from 2008 until 2023 among teenage and adult populations while demonstrating that teenage women experience this condition. Research conducted at hospitals during the last few years shows that GDM occurs in more than 20% of pregnant women which indicates that at least 20% of pregnant women in these facilities will develop the condition.
Why are cases increasing at an earlier stageResearchers point to several reasons for this early and rising pattern. The number of women who start their pregnancy being overweight , obese or pre-diabetic, without medical diagnosis has increased, which leads to earlier high blood sugar development during pregnancy. The risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include women who become pregnant at an advanced age and those who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy and people who have type 2 diabetes in their family history. These risk factors have become more prevalent throughout various communities throughout the world. South Asian women develop GDM at an early stage because their genetic predisposition interacts with their urban way of life and reduced physical movement.Health risks for mother and babyThe management of blood sugar levels in GDM becomes essential, because uncontrolled blood sugar levels during pregnancy can result in various complications, including high blood pressure and preeclampsia and the requirement for cesarean delivery and the birth of oversized infants. Studies about early GDM detection in pregnant women showed that women who receive their first diagnosis, develop more severe metabolic issues which increase their chances of developing preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications, than women who receive their diagnosis at a later time. The birth of babies to mothers who have not managed their GDM properly leads to newborns experiencing birth hypoglycemia and respiratory issues and develops into future obesity and diabetes complications.Why early diagnosis mattersThe initial symptoms of GDM which appear severe on diagnostic tests require immediate treatment to achieve better control of blood sugar levels and body weight and produce similar results as treating GDM at a later stage. The early initiation of treatment for women with elevated blood sugar levels before their regular testing appointment produced small yet important advantages which improved newborn health by reducing their need for breathing assistance. The research results indicate that healthcare providers should start screening and treating elevated blood sugar levels at the time of diagnosis, because delaying treatment until mid-pregnancy is not beneficial.How women can protect themselvesWomen who want to get pregnant should achieve a healthy weight while staying active, and eating a balanced diet which includes fiber, whole grains and vegetables and healthy fats. Women with diabetes during pregnancy, need to visit their doctor regularly for antenatal care and perform early glucose testing when doctors recommend it and they must follow their doctor’s instructions about their diet and physical activity and insulin treatment. Even after delivery, women who had GDM should get regular diabetes checks, as they have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes later.
Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice
