Obese women have highest risk for gestational diabetes, but are least likely to be screened: Women weighing more than 275 lbs during their pregnancy were 12 percent less likely to be screened, but 348 percent more likely to have gestational diabetes than those weighing between 100-124 lbs. Women with a maternal weight of 250-274 lbs were 6 percent less likely to be screened, but 300 percent more likely to have gestational diabetes than women in the low weight group. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), weight is one factor in a woman's risk for gestational diabetes.

Ethnicity is stronger predictor of gestational diabetes than maternal weight: The positivity rate for gestational diabetes in Asian American women was 8.7 percent compared to 4.1 percent for African American women. Maternal weight was about 137 lbs on average in Asian women compared to 175 lbs for African American women. Hispanic American women had a positivity rate of about 5.4 percent and an average maternal weight of 156 lbs. Caucasian American women had a positivity rate of 4.2 percent, with an average maternal weight of about 163 lbs. 

"Our study underscores that many factors influence a woman's risk for gestational diabetes. It is important for women and physicians to understand the risks specific to each pregnancy in order to assess the potential value of clinically appropriate screening," said study investigator Harvey W. Kaufman, M.D., senior medical director, Quest Diagnostics. "With diabetes at epidemic proportions, the need for patients to empower themselves through improved knowledge of their individual risks for this disease has never been more compelling."

Gestational diabetes mellitus is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It occurs in 4% to 12% of pregnancies. Untreated gestational diabetes increases the risk of pre-eclampsia, premature birth, delivery problems requiring cesarean section, and neonatal hypoglycemia. Gestational diabetes can be treated by controlling glucose with diet, exercise or insulin treatment. Guideline-recommended testing during and after pregnancy involves oral glucose tolerance and blood tests, which are widely available through U.S. laboratories.

Source: Quest Diagnostics