Risk factors for women with gestational diabetes mellitus developing type 2 diabetes and the impact on children's health

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to explore the risk factors for progression to type 2 diabetes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and the long-term impact of gestational diabetes mellitus on the health of their children.

Background: The occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus in women is the strongest predictor of the development of type 2 diabetes in the future.

Design: A non-concurrent cohort and case-control study design and the guidelines for STROBE checklist were used for the study.

Methods: We reviewed medical records for the time period from the archives of the hospitals. The short-listed women and their children were invited to participate in a 'Women with gestational diabetes mellitus' research activity from November 2012-February 2016. Blood tests, physiological indicators and demographic questionnaires were applied for data collection.

Results: A total of 57 women and 57 children participated in the research activity. The risk factors for progression of gestational diabetes mellitus to type 2 diabetes included education level and the 1-h blood glucose level for the antepartum 100-g oral glucose tolerance test and the 2-h blood glucose level for the postpartum 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. However, these risk factors did not have a significant impact on the body mass index and body fat of the women's children.

Conclusion: Healthcare providers should adopt a breadth of health education strategies to remind women with gestational diabetes mellitus to be aware of certain risk factors, and to urge them and their children to return for regular follow-up visits.

Relevance to clinical practice: Identification of the risk factors developing type 2 diabetes can make healthcare units incorporate the postpartum follow-up of gestational diabetes mellitus into their standard protocol and case managers continue to follow-up and manage the health of the women and that of their children to reduce adverse health of them.

Keywords: antepartum period; gestational diabetes mellitus; postnatal period; risk factors; type 2 diabetes.