Is the risk for gestational diabetes higher with lower weight gain during pregnancy?

Abstract

Objective: The relationship between obesity and gestational diabetes or glucose intolerance has been well established. Recently, it has been suggested that low weight gain during pregnancy may pose a risk for gestational diabetes or glucose intolerance. The present study aims to determine whether weight gain during pregnancy is associated with gestational diabetes. Material and Methods: The retrospective cohort study reviews 364 pregnant women of 19-39 years who were admitted to a private hospital in Istanbul during January 2015-December 2015. Each pregnant woman underwent 50 g oral glucose challenge test. The pregnant women who had first hour glucose concentration >140 mg/dL took the 100 g oral glucose tolerance test. Results: Study groups were defined according to the mean weight gain of participants during pregnancy (15.1±5.2 kg). Group A included 75 women who gained <11 kg during pregnancy while Group B consisted of 243 women who had a weight gain of 11-20 kg weight and Group C included 46 women who had weight gain >20 kg. When compared to Group B and Group C, gestational diabetes was significantly more frequent in Group A (3.2%, 4.3%, 18.6%, p<0.07). Conclusion: A positive correlation between weight gain and gestational diabetes has been well established. In our study, consistent with some recent reports, weight gain did not alter the risk of gestational diabetes. On the contrary, gestational diabetes was significantly more frequent in patients who had lower weight gain.