{"id":5183,"date":"2021-02-17T13:46:43","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T13:46:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cryoviva.com.sg\/?p=5183"},"modified":"2022-08-24T07:06:41","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T07:06:41","slug":"pregnancy-gestational-diabetes-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontarget-media.com\/cryoviva_new\/pregnancy-gestational-diabetes-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy and the gestational diabetes problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Gestational diabetes has been in the news frequently in recent times, with several reports pointing to the short and long-term implications of this condition. It is important for women undergoing pregnancy to be aware of gestational diabetes, its likely causes and effects, and potential preventative and curative options. In the first of this two-part series on the topic, let us highlight the extent of the problem and why it is important for pregnant women to take the issue of gestational diabetes seriously.<\/p>\n

As the name suggests, gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops in many pregnant women in the middle to latter stages of their pregnancy (generally, around the 24th<\/sup>– 28th<\/sup> week of pregnancy). Technically, it is the \u2018onset or first diagnosis of high blood glucose concentrations during pregnancy\u2019. The high blood glucose concentration during pregnancy can affect both the pregnancy as well as the baby\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

According to the International Diabetes Federation, gestational diabetes currently affects 1 in 6 births globally. In Singapore, this figure is apparently higher with nearly one in five pregnant women reportedly being affected. In most cases, these women recover and get back to normal post-pregnancy, though the problem may persist for some.<\/p>\n

While the causes of gestational diabetes are not exactly known, there is some correlation between pre-pregnancy obesity as well as a family history of diabetes.<\/p>\n

The state of gestational diabetes in Singapore<\/strong><\/p>\n

As mentioned above, it is a matter of concern that the prevalence of gestational diabetes in Singapore is higher than the global average.<\/p>\n

This implies that pregnant women in Singapore may be at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy, experiencing preterm labour, maternal complications and developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in their lifetime.<\/p>\n

Currently, Singapore adopts \u2018high-risk screening\u2019 i.e. screening of pregnant women who are known to be at high risk of gestational diabetes, rather than universal screening. However, a birth-cohort study like the \u201cGrowing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes seems to indicate that universal screening not only helps diagnose more cases of gestational diabetes but also tends to be more cost-effective in reducing maternal and foetal complications due to gestational diabetes.<\/p>\n

The consequences of ignoring gestational diabetes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both mother and baby can be adversely affected by the elevated blood glucose levels caused by gestational diabetes.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at the common risks for the baby if gestational diabetes is not controlled.<\/p>\n