Prevalence of gestational diabetes and risk factors in pregnant women referring to health center in Zabol city

Gestational diabetes is the most common medical disorder during pregnancy that results in maternal and neonatal complications. According to fundamental changes in the screening guidelines and diagnosis of GDM in 2013 by the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Association of Gestational Diabetes, this study seems to be necessary after the change in diagnosis of diabetes criteria. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with gestational diabetes in pregnant women referred to Zabol health centers.Patients and

In this cross-sectional study of 363 pregnant women who had 24 to 28 weeks of gestation referred to Zabol health centers, and history of diabetes before pregnancy, termination of pregnancy before 24 weeks administration of drugs effecting glucose metabolism such as steroids and patients who have chronic liver disease, glandular and connective tissue disorders were studied. The required data were collected by using a questionnaire which was based on research goals including personal information, and the risk factor of disease, such as maternal body mass index, history of hypertension or diabetes in a previous pregnancy, family history of diabetes, history of birth with more weight than 4 kg, and history of stillbirth Then for pregnant women without a history of diabetes in week 23 - 24 of pregnancy, 75 g oral sugar tolerance test with measuring blood glucose levels before an hour and two hours after taking glucose had been done, and Patients who met the following criteria were considered as gestational diabetes, fasting glucose ≥ 92 mg/dL, 180 mg/dL ≤ sugar-hour and 2-hour glucose ≥ 153 mg/dL.

17 cases or 4.7 percent of all subjects, were diagnosed with gestational diabetes among the risk factors surveyed maternal age, body mass index, history of gestational diabetes, family history of diabetes, history of macrosomia and history of abortion were significantly associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between occupation, education level, blood pressure, and a history of stillbirths with gestational diabetes.

According to information available in other studies, the prevalence of GD in Zabol province is in a moderate level, and it seems that selective screening based on risk factors associated with is preferred to whole screening.