Demographic and clinical predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus in early pregnancy: a prospective observational study

Authors

  • Pooja Agarwal Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Nisha Thakur Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, JLN Hospital and Research Center, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India
  • Sunita Agrawal Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, JLN Hospital and Research Center, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20260562

Keywords:

BMI, Demographics, Early pregnancy, Gestational diabetes mellitus, Predictors

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses significant health risks to both the mother and fetus. Identifying predictors of GDM early in pregnancy can facilitate timely intervention and reduce associated morbidity. To evaluate demographic and clinical parameters as predictors of GDM in pregnant women attending antenatal care before 20 weeks of gestation.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 200 pregnant women attending antenatal outpatient department at J.L.N. Hospital and Research Centre, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh. Relevant demographic and clinical data were recorded. DIPSI tests were conducted at <20 weeks, 24-28 weeks and 32-34 weeks of gestation. Associations between GDM and factors such as age, BMI, family history of diabetes, gravidity, haemoglobin and socioeconomic status were analysed using chi-square and t-tests.

Results: GDM was diagnosed in 34 participants (17%). Significant predictors of GDM included advanced maternal age (p<0.01), higher BMI (p=0.02) and positive family history of diabetes (p<0.001). Gravidity, hemoglobin and socioeconomic status did not show any associations.

Conclusions: Maternal age, BMI and family history of diabetes are strong predictors of GDM. Routine screening and early risk stratification based on these predictors can guide targeted interventions, particularly in resource-limited settings.

References

Metzger BE, Coustan DR. Summary and recommendations of the Fourth International Workshop-Conference on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Care. 1998;21(2):161-7.

McIntyre HD, Catalano P, Zhang C, Desoye G, Mathiesen ER, Damm P. Gestational diabetes mellitus. Lancet. 2010;375(9735):475-86.

International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas. 10th ed. Brussels: International Diabetes Federation. 2021.

Seshiah V, Balaji V, Balaji MS, Sanjeevi CB, Green A. Gestational diabetes mellitus in India. J Assoc Physicians India. 2008;56:329-33.

American Diabetes Association. Standards of care in diabetes—2024. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(1):1-350. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc24-SDIS

Kim C, Newton KM, Knopp RH. Gestational diabetes and the incidence of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. Diabetes Care. 2002;25(10):1862-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.25.10.1862

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. 190: Gestational diabetes mellitus. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(2):49-64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002501

Bozkurt L, Göbl CS, Leitner K, Tura A, Pacini G, Kautzky-Willer A, et al. HbA1c values in early pregnancy reflect beta-cell function and glucose disposal and predict gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. 2020;43(4):918-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001751

Sweeting AN, Ross GP, Hyett J, Molyneaux L, Tan K, Constantino M, et al. Gestational diabetes mellitus in early pregnancy: evidence for poor pregnancy outcomes despite treatment. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(1):75-81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc15-0433

Plows JF, Stanley JL, Baker PN, Reynolds CM, Vickers MH. The pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(11):3342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19113342

Li N, Liu E, Guo J, Pan L, Li B, Wang P, et al. Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Obes Rev. 2013;14(10):823-30.

Zhu Y, Zhang C. Prevalence of gestational diabetes and risk of progression to type 2 diabetes: a global perspective. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2016;115:1-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-015-0699-x

Farrar D, Simmonds M, Bryant M, Sheldon TA, Tuffnell D, Golder S, et al. Hyperglycaemia and risk of adverse perinatal outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016;4(9):753-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i4694

Powe CE, Huston Presley L, Locascio JJ, Catalano PM. Early pregnancy biochemical predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus. Curr Diab Rep. 2011;11(6):574-82.

Gupta Y, Kalra B, Baruah MP, Singla R, Kalra S. Updated guidelines on screening for gestational diabetes. J Pak Med Assoc. 2015;65(9):1000-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S82046

Saravanan P, Magee LA, Banerjee A, Coleman MA, Von Dadelszen P, Denison F, et al. Gestational diabetes: opportunities for improving maternal and child health. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2020;8(9):793-800. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30161-3

Hod M, Kapur A, Sacks DA, Hadar E, Agarwal M, Di Renzo GC, et al. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) initiative on gestational diabetes mellitus. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2015;131(3):173-211. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7292(15)30007-2

Sun Y, Liu B, Song Z, He X, Li X, Liu J, et al. Predictive value of first-trimester HbA1c levels in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021;21(1):408.

Hedderson MM, Ferrara A, Sacks DA. Gestational diabetes mellitus and lesser degrees of pregnancy hyperglycemia: association with increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Obstet Gynecol. 2003;102(4):850-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00006250-200310000-00030

Rawal S, Hinkle SN, Bao W, Zhu Y, Grewal J, Albert PS, et al. A longitudinal study of iron status during pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes: findings from a prospective cohort study. Diabetes Care. 2017;40(3):344-51.

Downloads

Published

2026-02-25

How to Cite

Agarwal, P., Thakur, N., & Agrawal, S. (2026). Demographic and clinical predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus in early pregnancy: a prospective observational study. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 15(3), 1013–1018. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20260562

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles