Gestational diabetes mellitus in rural population of Western India – Results of a community survey

CONTEXT: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) should be diagnosed early, as untreated maternal hyperglycemia leads to adverse materno-fetal outcome. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied prevalence of gestational diabetes by a house to house survey of a rural population in western India. A cluster of remote villages with little access to health care were chosen. RESULTS: A total of 989 women participated in the study out of which 9.5% (n = 94) were diagnosed as GDM. In a stepwise multivariate regression analysis a higher body mass index during pregnancy was a predictor of gestational diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes was similar in women with gestational age of >24 weeks and <24 weeks, suggesting the need for early screening. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the need for implementing health programs to diagnose and treat gestational diabetes in this population.