(HealthDay News) — Gestational diabetes refers to a diagnosis (usually for the first time) of diabetes while a woman is pregnant. The condition can lead to serious health problems for both the mother and infant.
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse offers this list of risk factors for gestational diabetes:
- Having an immediate family member who has diabetes.
- Being black or of Asian American, American Indian, Hispanic or Pacific Island descent.
- Being 25 or older during pregnancy.
- Being overweight.
- Having had a prior case of gestational diabetes.
- Having had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth.