Understanding Susceptibility Gene Loci Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

One of the fundamental goals of genetic research is to understand the pattern of heritability associated with the manifestation of various complex diseases. Elucidation of underlying genetic variation associated with common traits is one of the major challenges faced by clinical researchers. Gestational diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is multifactorial disorder of pregnancy. GDM refers to abnormal glucose tolerance that is first identified or diagnosed during pregnancy. GDM has long term impacts on the health of mother, developing fetus and child. Women and their offspring with history of GDM are at a greater risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). GDM increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, birth injuries, macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycemia, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal cardiac dysfunction and stillbirth. It is estimated that 4% of pregnancies in the United States are complicated with GDM; however, rates of GDM are significantly increasing with an overal...