Aims: To determine the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in China and to further identify population specific risk factors for GDM.
Methods: Following a universal GDM screening recommendation, 16,286 pregnant women who underwent a 50-g glucose challenge test from 18 cities in China were followed up through pregnancy. GDM was confirmed by oral glucose tolerance test according to American Diabetes Association criteria.
Results: The incidence of GDM was 4.3%. Previously reported risk factors for GDM, including advanced maternal age, pre-pregnancy obesity and family history of diabetes, were strongly associated with an elevated GDM risk. Moreover, after the adjustment for the above-mentioned risk factors, a history of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, residency in south China and a history of spontaneous abortion were significantly associated with an increased GDM risk; adjusted odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (95% CI)] were 1.97 (1.39, 2.80), 1.84 (1.59-2.13), and 1.46 (1.12, 1.91), respectively.
Conclusions: In this large study of GDM in Chinese women, advanced maternal age, pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity and family history of diabetes were confirmed to be risk factors. In addition, a history of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis or spontaneous abortion and residency in south China appeared to be novel risk factors in this population.