Qatar- Diabetes during pregnancy on the rise 

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) A recent study conducted by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has revealed increase of Gestational Diabetes (GDM) in Qatar.

The study shows that more than 20 percent of the pregnant women in Qatar are diabetic.

Though GDM is not a threat, women should be careful as she is vulnerable to develop the disease after delivery.

The study also revealed that GDM was the leading cause of caesarian sections as the baby would be heavy built.

Even though no specific reasons have yet been linked with gestational diabetes, doctors believe that the hormones produced by a woman's placenta during pregnancy increases her resistance to insulin, resulting in impaired glucose tolerance.

"GDM is a one of the common problem during pregnancies in Qatar, today," said Dr Rafa Ali Mekki, Medical Consultant and Head of women's section, Al Emadi. "The number is still growing. Diabetes and Hypertension is increasing in women in Qatar."

If the blood glucose level in the mother increases, it will be transmitted to the blood of the fetus also.

However, at the same time, the insulin produced from the mother's body is not transferred to the fetal-blood, which increases its blood sugar level. This makes the fetal-pancreas to produce more insulin. It also makes the baby grow in size.

After birth, the child will suffer due to less-glucose in the blood. This will lead to different problems including respiratory difficulties. The increased insulin production initiated when the baby was in the womb will lead to high insulin in the blood. Also there is increased chance for the baby to suffer from obesity later in life and increased risk of Diabetes Type II

According to a study published in 2000, gestational diabetes was the cause of 9.6 percent of 83still births in Qatar.

HMC at present is conducting a study on maternal diabetes on the fetal-brain function. This is because GDM is neuro-toxic for the baby and hence can cause abnormalities and effects fetal brain function.