Effect of Blood Group, Height, and Weight Gain during Pregnancy on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance, which presents during pregnancy for the first time. It is important due to its complications for pregnant woman and fetus. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of GDM in Ahvaz, Iran.
This descriptive analytic, prospective, and case-control study was conducted on 195 pregnant mothers hospitalized in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, 2014. A total of 65 patients were assigned into the control group and 130 patients with GDM were selected. Data was collected by a researcher using a self-constructed questionnaire including blood group, height, weight changes, blood glucose, and demographic data. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 19, Chi-Squares, t-test, and logistic regression analysis.
There was no significant difference between the case and control groups in terms of blood group and height variables. However, a significant relationship was observed between abnormal weight gains since the beginning of pregnancy until the gestational age of 24-28 weeks and GDM.
The weight gain of mothers during pregnancy is important. Therefore, early diagnosis of GDM and reducing its complications is possible by identifying the risk factors.