Abstract
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder that occurs during pregnancy, and its prevalence is increasing in all parts of the world. As a result of the impact of diabetes on both the mother and the fetus, it is a topic worthy of study.
Research objective and its justification: To determine the prevalence of diabetes during pregnancy to confirm the use of screening tests in detecting diabetes during pregnancy.
Research materials and methods: The study included 760 pregnant women who visited Al-Zahrawi Hospital during the period from June 2023 to December 2024, where information was recorded from the patients’ files and information related to the age of the pregnant woman, gestational age, and mass index, in addition to the tests necessary to diagnose diabetes during pregnancy, 73 pregnant women met positive criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes.
Results: The rate of diabetes during pregnancy was 9.60% of all pregnant women. The highest percentage of diabetic pregnant women falls within the age group >30 years, and this percentage is 68.49% (p<0.001)
The majority of diabetic pregnant women are in the third trimester of pregnancy, accounting for 71.23% of all diabetic pregnant women (p<0.001).
Most diabetic pregnant women were overweight and obese, and the percentages reached 39.72% and 49.32%, respectively (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The results of the study showed an increase in the rate of diabetes during pregnancy and therefore the importance of conducting screening tests. It emphasized that the advanced age of the pregnant woman, gestational age, and the presence of obesity in pregnant women are among the most important risk factors for diabetes during pregnancy.