RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS IN FEMALES PRESENTED AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF LAHORE

Background and Objective: The gestational diabetes mellitus is one of the common complications associated with pregnancy, and is emerging as an important clinical problem. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with gestational diabetes. Methods: It was an observational analytical study conducted at Lady Willingdon Hospital Lahore and completed in Gulab Devi Hospital, Lahore. The study was focused on pregnant women who attended the hospital for their routine check up after 24 weeks of their gestation. On the basis of available literature, a questionnaire was designed and used as a research tool. One hundred subjects of known gestational diabetes mellitus were selected as cases and hundred subjects without having gestational diabetes were selected as controls. Both groups were compared and results were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results: Risk factors that were found significantly associated with development of gestational diabetes mellitus included maternal age 35 years (p = 0.00), body mass index (p = 0.00), parity (p = 0.04), family history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.00), previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus (p = 0.01) and previous history of macrocosmic baby (p = 0.00). However both groups were similar with respect to maternal glucose intolerance and no significant association was found. Conclusion: In this study higher maternal age ( 35 years), obesity, multiparity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus and previous history of macrocosmic baby delivery were identified as the significant risk factors associated with gestational diabetes mellitus.