A Review of the Current Status of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Australia—The Clinical Impact of Changing Population Demographics and Diagnostic Criteria on Prevalence

Josephine G Laurie and H. David McIntyre
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Josephine G Laurie: Department of Obstetric Medicine, Mater Mothers’ Hospital Brisbane, Queensland and Mater Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
H. David McIntyre: Department of Obstetric Medicine, Mater Mothers’ Hospital Brisbane, Queensland and Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-11

Abstract: The current status of gestational diabetes mellitus in Australia reveals an almost quadrupling prevalence over the last decade. A narrative review of the current Australian literature reveals unique challenges faced by Australian maternity clinicians when addressing this substantial disease burden in our diverse population. Rising rates of maternal overweight and obesity, increasing maternal age and the diversity of ethnicity are key epidemiological impactors, overlaid by the 2015 changes in screening and diagnostic parameters. Our vast land mass and the remote location of many at risk women requires innovative and novel ideas for pathways to diagnose and effectively manage women with gestational diabetes mellitus. By modifying and modernizing models of care for women with gestational diabetes mellitus, we have the ability to address accessibility, resource management and our acute response to global events such as the COVID 19 pandemic. With continuing research, education and robust discourse, Australia is well placed to meet current and future challenges in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: gestational diabetes mellitus; epidemiological impactors; prevalence; remote; diverse; model of care; COVID-19; obesity; maternal age; ethnicity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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