Rates of gestational diabetes, a dangerous pregnancy condition, are surging by 70 per cent across Australia.
Pregnancy-related high blood sugar, known as gestational diabetes, significantly increases the risk of mothers developing type-2 diabetes, posing dangers to their infants.
“Anything related to diabetes increasing in Australia is concerning,” Dr Gary Deed told 9News.
Diabetes Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor David Simmons explained that the condition can result in larger, heavier babies, complicating the birthing process.
That can lead to serious complications like preeclampsia and preterm birth.
He further elaborated, “A bigger baby may face challenges during delivery, such as difficulty passing through the birth canal due to excessive fat, potentially leading to shoulder injuries or nerve damage.”
In a study of more than 1.8 million women, the rate of gestational diabetes has skyrocketed from 8.2 per cent to 12.2 per cent nationally.
The biggest jumps were in the Northern Territory, where it tripled in six years, while cases doubled in Victoria.
NSW recorded the smallest increase, but still a rise of 4 per cent.
Experts say the biggest risk factor is the nation’s growing obesity epidemic.
“We do know that lifestyle now is not how it used to be, that people are eating many more calories perhaps than they used to,” Simmons said.Â
“Physical activity is not to the same level as it used to be.”
Certain ethnic groups and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds have also urged to be cautious.
“Because there are many challenges to eating healthy food which can often be more expensive, for example, or may not be able to be readily accessed by some people,” Simmons said.
Experts say seeing a GP in the early stages of pregnancy is key to managing and preventing gestational diabetes.Â
Those found to be at risk can receive support to monitor their weight and glucose levels.
