New Gestational diabetes study

One complication of pregnancy can be the onset of gestational diabetes. Affecting a small proportion of pregnant women, gestational diabetes occurs when new hormones are produced by pregnancy. These hormones will diminish the body’s ability to utilise its own insulin. This in turn affects blood sugar levels, and consequently energy and health. Shockingly, approximately half of all women who develop gestational diabetes go on to develop diabetes itself within ten years of their baby being delivered.
A new study, headed by Dr. Karen Elkind-Hirsch, seeks to redress this balance. The study centres around the Woman’s Hospital, Baton Rouge, and is looking for 250 Caucasian and African-American pregnant females who are considered to be a risk of developing gestational diabetes. The patients will then face a blood test, which researchers hope will provide new breakthroughs in gestational diabetes knowledge.
Gestational diabetes, above and beyond its detrimental effects on the mother, may cause serious health risks for the unborn baby. Also, gestational diabetes does not automatically leave the mother following pregnancy, and Dr. Elking-Hirsch urged that it should be seen as an early warning of the risks of diabetes.
Patients are apparently eager to take part in the study, which should yield some interesting results.