The Diversity of Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications during pregnancy globally. One in 5 live births is affected by hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP), and 75% to 90% of HIP cases are GDM. GDM is first diagnosed during pregnancy and, generally, resolves at birth. Discussion: The environmental, socioeconomic and individual risk factors associated with GDM play pivotal role, causing constant global rise of GDM prevalence over the past two decades. Environmental risks affect gut microbiome, cause oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, neurohormonal and β-cell dysfunction, and epigenetic modification. They might be associated with an increased risk of GDM, and its short- and long-term complications. Other "neglected pollutants" that cause significant damage to human health are street noise and artificial light, light pollution causes circadian rhythm and sleep disorders that increase the risk of GDM. Socio-economic position of a mother is also associated with elevated risk of GDM. Individual risks: there is a large number of individual risks, that can be divided into2 groups: reversible and irreversible ones. The more risk factors a woman has, the higher is the risk of developing GDM. Undiagnosed and untreated GDM is associated with maternal complications during pregnancy, labor, postpartum and beyond, and fetal congenital and neonatal complications and poor long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Screening, treatment, and management of GDM are essential. Though GDM is not totally preventable, there are ways to help lower the risk: Elimination of the negative effect of reversible environmental, socio-economic and individual risk factors, is important to halt the rise of GDM prevalence in high-, middle- and low-income countries.