The health of women over the entire span of their reproductive years is crucial - beginning in adolescence and extending through the postpartum period. This paper provides a scoping review of the relevant literature on risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and progression from GDM to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), particularly among women of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) and Asian racial/ethnic backgrounds in Hawai'i, using the PubMed database (July 2010 to July 2020). NHPI and Asian populations have a greater likelihood of developing GDM compared to their White counterparts. Risk factors such as advanced maternal age, high maternal body mass index, and lack of education about GDM have varying levels of impact on GDM diagnosis between ethnic populations. Mothers who have a history of GDM are also at higher risk of developing T2DM. Common risk factors include greater increase in postpartum body mass index and use of diabetes medications during pregnancy. However, few studies investigate the progression from GDM to T2DM in Hawai'i's Asian and NHPI populations, and no studies present upstream preconception care programs to prevent an initial GDM diagnosis among Hawai'i's women. Thus, updated reports are necessary for optimal early interventions to prevent the onset of GDM and break the intergenerational cycle of increased susceptibility to T2DM and GDM in both mother and child. Further attention to the development of culturally sensitive interventions may reduce disparities in GDM and improve the health for all affected by this condition.
Keywords: Asian; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; gestational diabetes mellitus; health disparities; intergenerational prevention; minority populations; scoping review.
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