Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Global prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) ranges from <1% to 28%. Risk of postpartum diabetes (PPDM) is 7 times higher in women with GDM. We aimed to identify antenatal risk factors associated with postpartum hyperglycemia so that these women may be subjected to targeted screening in a low resource setting. METHODS: Screening for GDM was done with a 75gram GTT using IADPSG criteria in women between 28-29 weeks and post-partum screening for hyperglycemia was done using 75 gm 2hour OGTT. RESULTS: Mixed effect linear regression model to assess PPDM as outcome against age, pre pregnancy weight, baby weight at birth, HbA1C and postpartum BMI as predictors was significant at overall level (p=0.00). HbA1C (p =0.00) and pre pregnancy weight (p=0.001) were significant at individual level. Same model for postpartum prediabetes was significant at overall level and assumed significance for pre pregnancy weight (p=0.00), baby birth weight (p= 0.001), postpartum BMI (p=0.00) and HbA1C (p= 0.05) at individual level. The same model for postpartum abnormal sugars (PPDM or prediabetes) was significant at overall level (p = 0.00). CONCLUSION: Women with GDM represent a vulnerable population that is likely to develop a chronic metabolic disease at a young age exposing them to morbidity associated with unrecognized untreated hyperglycemia. Easily detectable clinical and biochemical antenatal risk factors may help identify women eligible for targeted screening for early diagnosis and treatment as well as use of preventive interventions against type2 diabetes after GDM.