Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and perinatal outcome: a rural tertiary teaching hospital based study

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is the commonest medical disorder in pregnancy. Women with GDM are at increased risk for adverse obstetric and perinatal outcome. Prevalence of GDM is known to vary widely depending on region of the country, dietary habits and socio-economic status. This study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of GDM and risk factors associated with it among women delivered in a rural tertiary teaching hospital in Telangana and further assess its impact on feto-maternal outcome.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences on GDM cases delivered from May 2015 to April 2017. GDM was diagnosed using 2 step procedure of screening with glucose challenge test followed by confirmation with oral glucose tolerance test using Carpenter and Couston criteria. Demographic data and details about perinatal outcome were obtained from medical records and analyzed.Results: The prevalence was low (1.83%) compared to other studies. Majority of the women did not have risk factors. Preeclampsia is the commonest maternal complication seen (18%). Hypothyroidism is more often associated with GDM (15%). Caesarean section rate was high (62%). Though the NICU admission rate was high (76%), neonatal outcome was found to be satisfactory.Conclusions: The low prevalence of GDM seen highlights the importance of carrying out studies in different population groups of India to know the exact prevalence of GDM in the country. Pregnancies in women with GDM continue to be at increased risk of maternal and perinatal complications