The Predominant Risk Factors for the Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Reproductive Age Women from Thi-Qar

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a prevalent illness, describes maternal glucose intolerancethat is first discovered during pregnancy. There are multiple risk factors linked to the developmentof GDM. Aim of study: to evaluate which risk factors are most common for the development ofGDM in Thi-Qar's reproductive-age women, and to predict which risk factors have the worstoutcomes for both the mother and fetus. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study wasconducted on 1504 reproductive-age married women attending an Endocrine Center. All patients’data were collected from direct interviewees and the use of digital records of the tertiary center,which used an internal network system and the Microsoft Access program. Demographiccharacteristics and Clinical history of GDM, history of macrosomia, and family history of diabeteswere documented. Results: The mean age of participant was 33 ±8 years old, their mean weightwas 76 ±15 kg, their BMI was 30.8±5.7 (Kg/m2), and their waist circumference was 94.5±12.5centimeters. BMI, first-degree relatives with diabetes, chronic hypertension, macrosomia,polycystic ovary syndrome, and lipid disorder were significantly higher among women with GDMrather than those without (p-value = 0.004, 0.001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.001, respectively).Conclusion: Family history of DM, obesity, macrosomia, PCOS, hypertension, lipid disorder,multiparity, and number of stillbirths are measured as dependent risk factors for the prediction ofGDM and DM complications. Heart disease, kidney disease, congenital anomalies, and physicalinactivity were insignificant associations with the incidence of GDM in this study. GDM isconsidered another risk factor for the prediction of chronic DM and later complications