Gestational diabetes affects 1 in 8 mothers in England, data reveal
One in eight mothers in England is now diagnosed with gestational diabetes, with diagnoses rising by 60% in just five years, according to a major study published in the journal BMJ Medicine.
A recent study published in BMJ Medicine reveals that one in eight mothers in England is now diagnosed with gestational diabetes, with rates increasing by 60% over a five-year period. The sharpest rises were seen among some ethnic minority groups and women living in deprived areas. Gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy and can cause serious complications for both mother and baby, is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, emergency cesarean section, and long-term health risks for both mothers and their children.
Researchers analyzed NHS maternity data covering more than 2.3 million mothers and around 2.8 million births across 184 hospitals in England between 2018 and 2022. The study highlights the urgent need to strengthen maternity services and improve support for women at highest risk, as well as the need for better preventive measures to help support these women postpartum.
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