Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes

En Español

Risk Factors

Talking to Your Doctor

Resource Guide

Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

A person can get gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with or without the risk factors below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of getting it. Women with many risk factors should ask their doctor what they can do to lower the risk.

Risk factors for GDM:

Obesity or Overweight

Women who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk of GDM. Body mass index is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Women with a higher BMI are at greater risk.

Family History of Diabetes

Women who have family members with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk.

GDM in a Previous Pregnancy

Women who have had GDM in a prior pregnancy are at risk of getting it again.

Age

Being older than 35 years may increase the risk of GDM.

Race

GDM is more common in women who are:

Latino
Native American
Asian
Black
Pacific Islander

Other Risk Factors

Heart disease
Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ("good") cholesterol and high triglycerides
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Lack of activity

References:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics. Practice Bulletin No. 190: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Feb;131(2):e49-e64.

Gestational diabetes. American Diabetes Association website. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/gestational-diabetes. Accessed January 14, 2020.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dyname.... Updated December 18, 2019. Accessed January 14, 2020.

Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 11/18/2020

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.