Gestational diabetes cases more in Hyderabad

Hyderabad March 10: In earlier Hyderabad has the distinction of being the diabetes capital of India now it is also a part of 'high' on gestational diabetes cases.This cause id mostly affected by the family history or due to some irregularities in taking food.

In a recent study on pregnant women in Hyderabad, it was revealed that a little over 50 percent showed elevated blood glucose levels. The prevalence of gestational diabetes in the city, however, is about 15 percent. Some hospitals report a higher incidence.

As part of the research, 237 pregnant women were observed. Of them, 137 showed gestational diabetes. The remaining (100) women had normal glucose levels. Among the pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, 58.4 percent had a family history of Type 2 diabetes.

The women with elevated blood sugar levels were in the age group of 22 to 38 years. The average age was 26.7 years.
Dr. Faraz Farishta, the consultant endocrinologist at MaxCure Hospital, points out that there is definitely an increase in the occurrence of gestational diabetes.

This is mainly due to obesity and sedentary lifestyle. "I used to see a month between 40 and 50 gestational diabetes patients referred by gynecologists. Now, I am seeing more such patients. Their number has increased to about 90 a month," said Dr. Faraz.

He said about 40 percent of gestational diabetics can be managed with diet regulation. But about 60 percent of patients requires insulin therapy to control the sugar level. "The increase in gestational diabetes has become a new challenge for pregnant mothers," he adds.