Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Korean Women

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of perinatal complications and the possibility of progressing to overt diabetes mellitus and obesity in mothers. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with the development of GDM, and to evaluate the effect of GDM in perinatal outcome. Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,161 mothers and their neonates, both whom had received antenatal care in a tertiary hospital between Jan 2006 and Nov 2011. The risk factors associated with the development of GDM were evaluated by multiple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of GDM in this study was 4.1%. The frequency of a larger-than-normal fetus for its gestational age was 14.6% in GDM mothers, which was higher than 3.8% in normal mothers. The odds ratio (OR) of having GDM was significantly higher in those with a family history of DM (OR 2.26 [95% CI 1.15~4.43]) than in those without. In addition, the OR of having GDM tended to increase according to increments of BMI levels before pregnancy: OR of 2.13 (95% CI 0.99~4.61), 3.83 (95% CI 1.65~8.90), 4.04(95% CI 1.63~10.06) in mothers with pre-pregnancy BMI levels of 21~23 kg/m , 23~25 kg/m, > 25 kg/m, respectively, when compared to those with BMI < 21 kg/m. Conclusions: Family history of DM, and a high BMI level before pregnancy were shown as risk factors for developing GDM in Korean women. Mothers with family history of DM, and with overweight or obesity should be recognized for their risk of GDM.