Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the Khangai region

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic complication that affect both mother and fetus during pregnancy. Approximately 7% of all pregnancies and 200.000 cases are affected by GDM worldwide annually. The prevalence of GDM is from 1% to 14 % across countries. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in the Khangai region of Mongolia. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 148 participants (24-28 weeks pregnant women) who were under care during pregnancy in the Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, and Uvurkhangai Province’s Health Center between March and April 2022. Structured questionnaires, physical examination (weight, height, blood pressure), and an OGTT (75gm, oral glucose, capillary) were performed. Results: The mean age of participants was 29.74±5.37 (19-44 years). Most participants were in the age range of 30-34 years. According to the gestational diabetes mellitus risk, 43.9% (n=65), 30.4% (n=45), and 25.7% (n=38) of women were low, moderate, and high, respectively. Among the 148 participants, 8.8% (n=13) had GDM based on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and 91.2%(n=135) women had normal blood glucose. A family history of diabetes is a risk factor for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (p=0.007). GDM and non-GDM group women’s pre-pregnancy mean BMI were 26.30±5.25 kg/m2 and 23.79±4.06 kg/m2, respectively (p=0.041). Conclusion: In our study, 1 in 11 pregnant women has gestational diabetes mellitus. Pregestational excessive body mass index (BMI) affects the development of gestational diabetes mellitus.