Cases of gestational diabetes, a serious pregnancy complication, have risen by 60% in England over a five-year period, new figures indicate. In 2018, approximately one in 12 expectant mothers developed the condition, a rate that increased to one in eight by 2022. Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant woman's blood sugar levels become excessively high, often because the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the fetus's increased demands.
This condition can affect placental function, potentially leading to a higher birth weight, breathing difficulties for the newborn, and in rare instances, stillbirth. It can also elevate the mother's blood pressure to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack. Experts attribute the rise in diagnoses to the increasing average age and body mass index (BMI) of pregnant women in the UK.
Obesity is identified as the primary risk factor, contributing to about half of all cases. Excess weight can impair the body's insulin production, while insulin sensitivity naturally decreases with age. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows a consistent rise in maternal age over recent decades, as women are increasingly having children later in life.
Recent research published in the journal BMJ Medicine analyzed maternity data from 184 hospitals in England between 2018 and 2022, covering over 2.3 million mothers and 2.8 million births. The study's authors, led by researchers from the University of Edinburgh, found that a gestational diabetes diagnosis was associated with an increased likelihood of premature birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation. Premature birth can lead to severe infant complications, including underdeveloped lungs, brain bleeds, digestive problems, and long-term issues such as vision or hearing impairment and developmental delays.
Gestational diabetes typically resolves after childbirth, but it significantly raises a woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life. Approximately half of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years. Rebecca Reynolds, professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Edinburgh, expressed concern over the rising numbers, noting the impact on already strained maternity services and the need for better preventative measures and postpartum support.
Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, emphasized that gestational diabetes is a risk factor for future heart attack and stroke. She advises healthcare professionals to routinely inquire about pregnancy-related risk factors, such as diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy, even years later, when assessing cardiovascular risk.
While factors like age and ethnicity cannot be altered, lifestyle modifications can help manage blood sugar levels. Pregnant women can reduce their risk by maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, and managing their weight before and during pregnancy. Screening for gestational diabetes, usually via an oral glucose tolerance test, is offered to pregnant women with specific risk factors, typically between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation.