FourAngelKisses
03-09-2006, 07:18
Just heard them talking about this on Sunday Sunrise, so I thought I'd post the article.
Mothers given diabetes warning
By Vivienne Oakley
September 03, 2006 12:00am
THE number of women suffering from diabetes during pregnancy has quadrupled in the past five years.
New figures have revealed the extent of the problem for the first time, with more than 18,500 cases of gestational diabetes diagnosed last year in NSW - a staggering 400 per cent increase from 2000.
The condition, which occurs during pregnancy when blood glucose levels are higher than normal, has health implications for both the mother and unborn baby.
Untreated, the condition can cause the baby to grow very large and become hypoglycaemic.
While the condition usually goes away after the baby is born, research shows up to half of women with gestational diabetes may go on to develop type 2 diabetes within five years.
Diabetes Australia NSW president Neville Howard said more than 50 women were diagnosed with the condition every day.
"In just five years we have experienced a change so dramatic that record numbers of pregnant mothers in NSW are now being diagnosed with gestational diabetes," Dr Howard said.
He said a combination of factors had led to the increase, including more overweight mothers, increased awareness and increased screening.
Fairfield mother Kylie Brand, 28, was diagnosed with the condition for the second time about five weeks ago.
She managed the condition with diet when pregnant with her daughter, Darcy, but this time she has required insulin injections three times a day.
"It's been a bit of a wake-up call," she said.
A study published in The Medical Journal of Australia showed that a third of pregnant women were now overweight or obese, which increased the risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society recommends that, following gestational diabetes, a woman should have a postpartum glucose test, and then testing every two years.
Mothers given diabetes warning
By Vivienne Oakley
September 03, 2006 12:00am
THE number of women suffering from diabetes during pregnancy has quadrupled in the past five years.
New figures have revealed the extent of the problem for the first time, with more than 18,500 cases of gestational diabetes diagnosed last year in NSW - a staggering 400 per cent increase from 2000.
The condition, which occurs during pregnancy when blood glucose levels are higher than normal, has health implications for both the mother and unborn baby.
Untreated, the condition can cause the baby to grow very large and become hypoglycaemic.
While the condition usually goes away after the baby is born, research shows up to half of women with gestational diabetes may go on to develop type 2 diabetes within five years.
Diabetes Australia NSW president Neville Howard said more than 50 women were diagnosed with the condition every day.
"In just five years we have experienced a change so dramatic that record numbers of pregnant mothers in NSW are now being diagnosed with gestational diabetes," Dr Howard said.
He said a combination of factors had led to the increase, including more overweight mothers, increased awareness and increased screening.
Fairfield mother Kylie Brand, 28, was diagnosed with the condition for the second time about five weeks ago.
She managed the condition with diet when pregnant with her daughter, Darcy, but this time she has required insulin injections three times a day.
"It's been a bit of a wake-up call," she said.
A study published in The Medical Journal of Australia showed that a third of pregnant women were now overweight or obese, which increased the risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society recommends that, following gestational diabetes, a woman should have a postpartum glucose test, and then testing every two years.