A new study by Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital has revealed that almost half of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) continue to have abnormal blood sugar levels years after delivery. This challenges the long-standing belief that GDM resolves completely after childbirth and highlights the urgent need for consistent postpartum monitoring.
Study Tracks Long-Term Health of Mothers
As reported by Hindustan Times, the study followed 531 women diagnosed with GDM during their most recent pregnancy. Researchers found that 48.6% developed either diabetes or pre-diabetes during the follow-up period. The average age at diagnosis was 30.5 years, and the average follow-up duration was nearly three years—extending up to eight years for some participants.
A Worrying Trend: Rising Postpartum Diabetes Risk
The study reported that 22% of participants developed type 2 diabetes, while another 26.6% were classified as pre-diabetic. Alarmingly, 45% of these women had early-onset GDM (diagnosed before 24 weeks of gestation), which is associated with higher risk. Moreover, 9.6% had a previous history of GDM, indicating a likelihood of recurrence in future pregnancies.
Early Pregnancies Also Pose Long-Term Risks
Notably, most of the women studied were first-time (46.2%) or second-time (43.8%) mothers, showing that even early pregnancies can initiate long-term metabolic issues. This data underscores a critical postpartum burden of dysglycemia, emphasizing the need for systematic screening and follow-up care.
Doctors Raise the Alarm Over Missed Diagnoses
Dr Tushar Bandgar, a professor in the endocrinology department at KEM Hospital, warned against underestimating the risk. “We used to think gestational diabetes ends after delivery, but that’s clearly not true for many women. A large number continue with dysglycemia for years without realizing it,” he said. If left undetected, this silent progression can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other complications.
Cultural Pressures Worsen Postpartum Health
Doctors also pointed out that cultural beliefs often contribute to the problem. New mothers are encouraged to retain weight to support breastfeeding. However, this retained weight can increase insulin resistance. “There’s a belief that women should avoid losing weight postpartum, but this only worsens their metabolic health,” said Dr Bandgar.
Lack of Follow-Up Leads to Severe Consequences
For women like 35-year-old Rani Kumari, a domestic worker from Sion, the absence of postnatal guidance has had lasting effects. Diagnosed with GDM during her second pregnancy, she was never advised to follow up. Two years later, persistent fatigue and dizziness led to a diabetes diagnosis. “Nobody warned me this could happen,” Rani said. Now, she spends over ₹1,500 each month on medications and testing—an unaffordable burden for her family.
Call for Routine Screening and Early Intervention
In response to the findings, KEM doctors have urged routine annual blood sugar testing for all women with a history of GDM, regardless of how much time has passed. “Pre-diabetes is reversible if detected early,” Dr Bandgar emphasized. “But if ignored, we’re allowing thousands of women to fall into a lifelong, preventable disease.”