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Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Gestational Diabetes | Research

Comparative epidemiology of gestational diabetes in ethnic Chinese from Shanghai birth cohort and growing up in Singapore towards healthy outcomes cohort

Authors: Evelyn Xiu Ling Loo, Yuqing Zhang, Qai Ven Yap, Guoqi Yu, Shu E Soh, See Ling Loy, Hui Xing Lau, Shiao-Yng Chan, Lynette Pei-Chi Shek, Zhong-Cheng Luo, Fabian Kok Peng Yap, Kok Hian Tan, Yap Seng Chong, Jun Zhang, Johan Gunnar Eriksson

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been associated with adverse health outcomes for mothers and offspring. Prevalence of GDM differs by country/region due to ethnicity, lifestyle and diagnostic criteria. We compared GDM rates and risk factors in two Asian cohorts using the 1999 WHO and the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria.

Methods

The Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC) and the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort are prospective birth cohorts. Information on sociodemographic characteristics and medical history were collected from interviewer-administered questionnaires. Participants underwent a 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 weeks gestation. Logistic regressions were performed.

Results

Using the 1999 WHO criteria, the prevalence of GDM was higher in GUSTO (20.8%) compared to SBC (16.6%) (p = 0.046). Family history of hypertension and alcohol consumption were associated with higher odds of GDM in SBC than in GUSTO cohort while obesity was associated with higher odds of GDM in GUSTO. Using the IADPSG criteria, the prevalence of GDM was 14.3% in SBC versus 12.0% in GUSTO. A history of GDM was associated with higher odds of GDM in GUSTO than in SBC, while being overweight, alcohol consumption and family history of diabetes were associated with higher odds of GDM in SBC.

Conclusions

We observed several differential risk factors of GDM among ethnic Chinese women living in Shanghai and Singapore. These findings might be due to heterogeneity of GDM reflected in diagnostic criteria as well as in unmeasured genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors.
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Metadata
Title
Comparative epidemiology of gestational diabetes in ethnic Chinese from Shanghai birth cohort and growing up in Singapore towards healthy outcomes cohort
Authors
Evelyn Xiu Ling Loo
Yuqing Zhang
Qai Ven Yap
Guoqi Yu
Shu E Soh
See Ling Loy
Hui Xing Lau
Shiao-Yng Chan
Lynette Pei-Chi Shek
Zhong-Cheng Luo
Fabian Kok Peng Yap
Kok Hian Tan
Yap Seng Chong
Jun Zhang
Johan Gunnar Eriksson
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04036-5

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