QUESTION: Is there a high risk for gestational diabetes in Hispanic population?
Yes. Hispanic/Latina women are considered to have an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes. However, being Hispanic does not mean that you will develop it. Your personal risk also depends on factors such as previous gestational diabetes, family history of type 2 diabetes, body weight, age, polycystic ovary syndrome and your glucose levels early in pregnancy.
The important thing is appropriate screening rather than worrying about ethnicity alone.
Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc
Hi there,
Yes, studies have consistently found differences in gestational diabetes rates between different populations, and Hispanic/Latina women are among the groups considered to have an increased risk.
But I want to put this into perspective for you. Your ethnic background is a risk factor, not a diagnosis. It does not tell me by itself whether you will or will not develop gestational diabetes.
There is no single explanation.
Gestational diabetes develops when the natural insulin resistance of pregnancy becomes greater than the pancreas can compensate for. Genetics may contribute, but so can differences in body composition, family history, previous pregnancies, diet, physical activity, health conditions, access to healthcare and other social or environmental factors.
This is why I would avoid saying that Hispanic women develop gestational diabetes simply because of their genes.
Not necessarily.
Current U.S. data show that gestational diabetes rates vary substantially between racial and ethnic populations, and Asian women have particularly high rates overall.
Hispanic/Latina, African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women are also recognized as populations in which gestational diabetes occurs more often.
These are population statistics. They cannot predict exactly what will happen to one individual woman.
Routine screening for gestational diabetes is generally performed at about 24–28 weeks of pregnancy if diabetes has not already been identified.
If you have additional risk factors, your doctor may also evaluate your glucose earlier in pregnancy.
The gestational diabetes testing, symptoms, diet and glucose-control guide explains why screening is so important even when you feel completely well.
This is something I particularly want you to remember.
You cannot reliably decide whether you have gestational diabetes based on how you feel. Many women have no obvious symptoms at all.
That is why I would rather have you complete the recommended glucose testing than spend your pregnancy looking for thirst, tiredness or frequent urination, because all of these may also occur during a normal pregnancy.
If you had gestational diabetes during an earlier pregnancy, your risk of developing it again is higher regardless of your ethnic background.
The gestational diabetes recurrence and prevention guide explains what you can do before and during another pregnancy to improve glucose control and identify problems early.
For most women, glucose levels improve after the placenta is delivered, but a history of gestational diabetes remains important.
Women who have had gestational diabetes have a substantially higher lifetime risk of later developing type 2 diabetes. This is why postpartum glucose testing and continued screening in the years afterward are important.
This follow-up matters particularly when other risk factors are also present, such as a strong family history, overweight, previous prediabetes or belonging to a population with a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
If you are Hispanic or Latina and pregnant, I would not want you to become frightened simply because your population has a higher statistical risk.
Instead, tell your obstetrician about any family history of diabetes, previous gestational diabetes, previous large babies, PCOS or previous abnormal glucose readings. Attend your prenatal visits and complete glucose screening at the recommended time.
And if gestational diabetes is diagnosed, remember that good glucose monitoring, an appropriate pregnancy meal plan, safe physical activity and medication when necessary can greatly improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
All the best,
Dr. Albana Greca