PREVALENCE OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS (GDM) AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC OF A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN CENTRAL KERALA

BACKGROUND Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder defined as glucose intolerance with the onset or first recognition during pregnancy. Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus is reported to be between 2% - 8%, distributed across all continents and cultures. In South India, the prevalence of GDM increased from 1% in 1998 to 16.55% in 2004. In a recent community based study conducted by Seshiah et al in South India, GDM was reported among 17.5% of women in urban, 13.8% in semi urban, 9.9% in rural areas based on two-hour 75 gm post glucose value greater than or equal to 140 mg/dL. Women with GDM are at increased risk for adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Diabetes complicates between 1 and 20% of all pregnancies worldwide, which include pre-gestational diabetes and GDM. Hence, Research regarding GDM is essential to understand the burden of the problem and its impact. The objectives of this study is to estimate the prevalence of GDM among attendees of an Antenatal Clinic at a Teaching Hospital in Ernakulam district to assess factors associated with GDM and to determine the maternal and neonatal complications associated with GDM. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective hospital-based study was done utilising records from first quarter of 2016, containing the data of 135 pregnant women who had attended the Antenatal Clinic of a Private Medical College in Ernakulam district. Data related to maternal complications in the natal or post-natal period and neonatal outcome/complications was also obtained from hospital records. RESULTS A total of 135 pregnant women were registered and screened for GDM as per records. GDM was detected in 16 antenatal women. Majority of GDM cases, 10 (62.5%) were in the age group of 25 - 31 years and 31.25% of GDM cases were primi-gravidae. Of the GDM cases, 7 had maternal complications. Among the antenatal women with GDM, 11 (68.75%) underwent LSCS; there was only 1 (6.25%) preterm delivery, 1 neonate had low birth weight and 6 (37.5%) had neonatal complications. CONCLUSION Among the 135 women, 16 (11.9%) had GDM. Prevalence of GDM was more in the age group of 25 - 31 yrs. and among multigravidae. Majority underwent LSCS.