New research suggests that more pregnant women are prediabetic, and that infant health can be improved by evaluating diabetic predisposition. The American Diabetes Association states "The number of pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes is rapidly increasing, leading to increased health risks for both the mothers and their unborn children. The seriousness of this problem was brought home by a new ADA-funded study, which showed a doubling of the number of pregnant women with diabetes over a seven-year period."
Women are at higher risk for diabetes if they:
Are overweight
Are physically inactive
Are over the age of 45
Have a family history of diabetes (parent, brother, or sister)
Are a member of high-risk ethnic population (e.g., African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander)
Had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or had a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth
Have high blood pressure
Have abnormal blood fat levels (cholesterol or triglycerides)
Have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (a condition of irregular periods and infertility)
Have ever been told you have pre-diabetes
Have a history of heart disease or stroke
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