Diagnosis of pregnant women with gestational diabetes rises 70 per cent in six years in Monash study

More pregnant women are being diagnosed with this serious condition which can lead to complications and bigger babies.

Monash University researchers say there is a need for targeted diabetes prevention as Australia becomes increasingly multicultural.

Rates of gestational diabetes are soaring among pregnant women across Australia, with Victorian mums recording some of the country’s biggest increases.

In a new study of 1.8 million pregnancies, Monash University researchers found an almost 70 per cent increase in gestational diabetes over six years nationally.

This is a serious condition that affects the health of both the mother and baby and can cause lifelong medical conditions.

It can also lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pre-eclampsia, bigger babies and caesarean and preterm birth.

Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes also have a 10-fold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Eating healthy, staying physically active, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are all important to reduce the risk. Picture: iStock

The researchers found the rise nationally may be because of changes in the characteristics of women giving birth, including more who are overweight and obese, older mums and changing migration patterns in Australia.

They said while the significant rise in Victoria was unclear, it was likely due to change in guidelines for screening and diagnosis, improved notifications, a higher prevalence of pregnant women living with overweight or obesity, and the population composition.

The research was led by Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle with Dr Siew Lim and Wubet Takele from Monash’s Eastern Clinical School and Dr Lachlan Dalli from the School of Clinical Sciences

They reviewed data from the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Gestational diabetes is strongly linked to risk factors. including a previous history. Picture: iStock

The team reported an alarming disparity in gestational diabetes based on the nationality of mothers that they said highlighted the need for culturally appropriate interventions.

Academic, obstetrician and gynaecologist Associate Professor Boyle said the increase was likely driven by a combination of factors including the changing of guidelines for testing and diagnosis.

“Although these changes were officially adopted in 2014 there has been a continued increase in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes each year since,” she said.

“Other factors such as improved screenings and registration with the NDSS in some areas such as the Northern Territory may also contribute to the increase.”

One of the major findings from the study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, was that women born overseas experienced a more rapid increase in gestational diabetes than Australian-born women.

“Particularly women born in Central and South-East Asia,” Dr Lim said. “These groups are reported to have greater genetic susceptibility for gestational diabetes, and Australia has seen large increases in migrants from Asia over the past decade.

“There is a need for targeted diabetes prevention in these groups as Australia becomes increasingly multicultural.”

Associate Professor Boyle said gestational diabetes was strongly linked to risk factors, including a previous history.

“But it can also occur in women with no apparent risk factors. Supporting women and their families to maintain a healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy is critical to reduce a woman’s risk,” she said.

“Eating healthy, staying physically active, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are all important to reduce this risk of gestational diabetes.”

The team says there is a need to partner with migrant communities to design culturally appropriate interventions that are affordable, accessible and align with the values and practices of their community to prevent and better manage gestational diabetes in Australia.

Originally published as Diagnosis of pregnant women with gestational diabetes rises 70 per cent in six years in Monash study