Work

Ten-year national trends in the prevalence and outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus in Poland: a population-based study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common metabolic disorders in pregnancy, and its prevalence has been rising worldwide in parallel with increasing maternal age and obesity. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe nationwide 10-year trends in GDM prevalence, management, and perinatal outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, population‑based cohort study including all deliveries recorded in the Polish National Health Fund database from 2015 to 2024. GDM and complications were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. GDM was diagnosed according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups / World Health Organization 2013 criteria. Maternal age was categorized into 5 groups (<18, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, and 45-54 y). We calculated the prevalence of GDM, assessed temporal trends, and estimated odds ratios for key maternal and neonatal complications. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 3 729 871 deliveries. Over the 10‑year study period, the total annual number of deliveries in Poland declined by 25%, while GDM prevalence rose from 6.1% to 10.6%. Women with GDM were on average older, and the proportion of individuals with insulin‑dependent GDM increased modestly. GDM was consistently associated with higher risks of hypertensive disorders, cesarean delivery, macrosomia, congenital malformations, and neonatal hypoglycemia, among other complications. DISCUSSION: GDM prevalence in Poland nearly doubled from 2015 to 2024, partly reflecting delayed childbearing. Pregnancies affected by GDM showed substantially greater maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Source: Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnętrznej

DOI: 10.20452/pamw.17202

Authors: Rafal Sibiak, Rafal Iciek, Katarzyna Gastolek, Ewa Chudzynska, Claire Meek, Ewa Wender-Ozegowska

Institutions: Poznan University of Medical Sciences, National Health Insurance Fund, Leicester General Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Gestational Diabetes Research and Management

Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Fundacja na rzecz Nauki Polskiej