A new Australian study published in theAmerican journal of epidemiology seems to have found a link between the risk of Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy and the age at which the mother-to-be had her first period.
After examining the medical records of 4,700 women, researchers at the University of Queensland (Australia) found that women who had their period at age 11 or earlier had a 50% higher risk of developing gestational diabetes. than expectant mothers who had their period at 13 or later.
A diagnosis that must be made as soon as possible
For Danielle Schoenaker, main author of the study, “this finding could prompt obstetricians to ask their patients at what age they had their first period in order to determine which ones are most at risk for gestational diabetes.”.
The diagnosis of gestational diabetes should be made as early as possible during pregnancy because expectant mothers are at risk of suffering from perinatal complications and their babies from health problems. Moms-to-be who have gestational diabetes are also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Also read: our dossier on gestational diabetes