Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Pregnant Females

Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Pregnant Females

Authors

  • Khalida Anwar Department of Biochemistry, Rahim Yar Khan Medical and Dental College, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
  • Asia Hussain Department of Biochemistry, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
  • Abeerah Zafar Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal, Pakistan
  • Sehrish Muzafar Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal, Pakistan
  • Rabia Shaukat Department of Pharmacology, Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal, Pakistan
  • Hafsa Yasin Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Tayyaba Yasin Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
  • Nida Yousaf Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v7i3.3432

Keywords:

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Risk Factors, Type 2 Diabetes, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent pregnancy complication marked by glucose intolerance, which poses significant risks to both maternal and fetal health, including preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, macrosomia, and an increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes later in life. Objectives: To determine the frequency and prevalence of GDM in pregnant women. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 pregnant women aged 18-45 years at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and clinical measurements, including a 50-gram oral glucose challenge test (GCT), followed by a 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for those with positive GCT results. Results: The mean age of participants was 27.08 ± 4.35 years, with a majority being well-educated (57.9% graduates, 35.2% with master’s degrees, and 1.3% with an MBBS). Most women were housewives (50.3%), followed by office workers (27%) and teachers (20.1%). The mean BMI was 31.70 ± 6.18, indicating a high prevalence of overweight/obesity. Despite recognizing the seriousness of GDM and the importance of a healthy lifestyle, 27% of participants did not exercise regularly, and 23.8% met the criteria for GDM. Conclusions: The study revealed a high prevalence of GDM, primarily driven by overweight/obesity and physical inactivity.

Author Biography

Khalida Anwar, Department of Biochemistry, Rahim Yar Khan Medical and Dental College, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan

Assistant professor Biochemistry Department at RYK Medical and Dental College Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan

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Published

2026-03-31
CITATION
DOI: 10.54393/pjhs.v7i3.3432
Published: 2026-03-31

How to Cite

Anwar, K., Hussain, A., Zafar, A., Muzafar, S., Shaukat, R., Yasin, H., Yasin, T., & Yousaf, N. (2026). Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Pregnant Females: Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Pregnant Females. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, 7(3), 87–92. https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v7i3.3432

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