by 
One in seven births affected by Gestational Diabetes
Chennai, 23 April 2018. The 13th annual congregation of DIPSI (Diabetes in Pregnancy
Study Group India) supported by Novo Nordisk India deliberated on how Gestational
Diabetes has become a public health issue and the risks posed by undiagnosed Gestational
Diabetes.
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy which
usually disappears after giving birth. GDM affects one in seven livebirths globally. 1
“A woman who has had GDM is 20 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in her
life. Her children are also at higher risk of developing diabetes,” said Dr V Seshaiah,
Founder Patron, DIPSI.
DIPSI was set up under the leadership of Dr V Seshaiah & Dr. V. Balaji in 2004 to create
guidelines on assessing and managing GDM in the Indian context. The DIPSI guidelines
were used to create national guidelines by the Government of India. According to a study by
Dr V Seshaiah Diabetes Research Institute/Dr V Balaji Diabetes Care Centre, the prevalence
of GDM was nearly 16.55% in India.
“The vast majority of cases of increased blood sugar in pregnancy tend to be in low- and
middle-income countries, where access to maternal care is often limited 1 . Early diagnosis
and prevention are key to protecting the mother and unborn as well as ensuring next
generation health,” said Dr V Balaji, Founder-Secretary, DIPSI.
The two-day conclave saw leading diabetologists, gynaecologists and obstetricians
discussing the Risk of Developing GDM: Unanswered questions; Biomarkers of predicting
GDM: Where do we stand; Metabolic Changes: Differences between Normal and Gestational
Diabetes; and Burden of GDM in India.
Dr Balaji also introduced the GDM registry, a one-year programme to encourage early
screening of diabetes among pregnant women and study its outcome on the mother and
child’s health.
Anil Kumble, Novo Nordisk Changing Diabetes® brand ambassador and former captain and
coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, attended the event and said, ““Having seen close
friends deal with GDM, and the fears for the health of the baby and the mother, I know the
value of early diagnosis and the importance of proper management wherein healthy living is
a key component,” said Kumble
