THE RECURRENCE ROLE OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES IN SUBSEQUENT PREGNANCIES

OBJECTIVE - To define the recurrence rate of gestational diabetes mell itus (GDM) in a subsequent pregnancy and to determine what factors cou ld be predictive. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - The subjects of the in dex pregnancy were 480 personally cared for women with GDM. One hundre d women had had a subsequent pregnancy and had been tested for GDM. RE SULTS - The recurrence rate of GDM mas 35% (95% CI, 25.5-44.5). An inc rease in weight between the two pregnancies and a higher maternal age and parity were risk associates for a recurrence. A recurrence of GDM was not associated with a higher glucose level, insulin use, or fetal birth weight in the index pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS - GDM occurs in only one-third of subsequent pregnancies. Those women who had a recurrence of their GDM were older, more parous, and also had an increase in weig ht between the pregnancies.