Work

Racial disparities in the prevalence and perinatal outcomes of gestational diabetes among women with normal body mass index

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess racial and ethnic differences in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevalence and perinatal outcomes among U.S. women with normal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: . Exclusions were preexisting hypertension or diabetes, multiple gestations, missing covariates, or implausible data. EXPOSURES: Race/ethnicity: White, Black, Asian, and Other (Native American/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and multiracial). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcome: GDM prevalence by race. Logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with White women as the reference. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: preterm delivery macrosomia, NICU admission, and neonatal respiratory failure. RESULTS: A total of 3,754,684 women, GDM prevalence was highest in Asians (12.5%). Compared with White women, Asians had nearly threefold higher odds of GDM (aOR, 2.95; 95% CI, 2.91-3.00). GDM was associated with preterm delivery (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.22-1.25), NICU admission (aOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.24-1.28), and neonatal respiratory failure (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.22-1.32), in all racial groups. Macrosomia was increased only in Black (aOR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.43-1.68) and Other (aOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.08-1.34). CONCLUSIONS: Among women with normal BMI, substantial racial disparities in GDM prevalence and outcomes exist, with Asian women at the highest risk. Our results support earlier and ethnicity-tailored GDM screening among women with normal BMI-particularly Asian women-plus proactive counseling on glucose monitoring and culturally adapted lifestyle interventions during pregnancy.

Source: Journal of Diabetes Investigation

DOI: 10.1111/jdi.70195

Authors: Hongdan Zhu, Jing Pan, Haitao Pan

Institutions: Shaoxing University, Shaoxing City Women and Children Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Gestational Diabetes Research and Management

Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,850