Weight gain trends of women diagnosed with GDM version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Associations between maternal and neonatal outcomes and weight gain trends in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
IRAS ID
262457
Contact name
Kathryn Mares
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East-Anglia
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. It is characterised by abnormal high blood glucose levels and is usually diagnosed at 24 – 28 weeks gestation and last for the duration of the pregnancy.
It is estimated that 14% of births worldwide are affected by GDM. It is most likely to occur in women who are overweight or obese. With obesity increasing, GDM is also increasing. Within our centre, the number of patients diagnosed with GDM increased from 108 in 2010 to 256 in 2018.GDM and excessive weight gain during pregnancy are both independent risk factors associated with a range of short- and long-term complications for both the infant and the mother. Infants are at increased risk of macrosomia, large for gestational age (LGA), still births, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Women are at increased risk of caesarean sections and preeclampsia and Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in later life. These risk factors can be reduced by reducing maternal blood glucose through dietary modifications, physical activity and weight management.
Even though weight management is recognised as important in managing GDM, no weight gain guidance exists for women diagnosed with GDM. Weight gain during pregnancy is a controversial issue with both excessive and inadequate weight gain associated with poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. The Institute of Medicine(IOM) provides weight gain guidance for women without diabetes, but this is not universally accepted and not considered applicable in women with diabetes.
The aim of this service review is to assess total weight gain in women diagnosed with GDM in our unit between January 2017 and December 2018 and associations between inadequate or excessive weight gain and maternal and neonatal outcomes.REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NE/0258
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion