Gestational diabetes among women of migrant origin in Finland—a population-based study

Abstract

Background Migrant women may have a higher risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and the related adverse outcomes. We studied the prevalence of GDM among migrant-origin women in Finland. Methods This study used data from the nationwide Medical Birth Register. Information on the most recent singleton births of women delivering between 2004 and 2014 (N = 379 634) was included. Women were classified into nine regional categories based on the country of origin. Finnish origin women were the reference group. Generalized linear models adjusted for maternal age, parity, socioeconomic position, pre-pregnancy body mass index and year of delivery were used to study the association between region/country of origin and GDM. Results Among the study population, almost 8% were of migrant origin. The prevalence of GDM varied from 6.1% (women of Latin American/Caribbean origin) to 18.4% (South Asian origin), compared to 8.7% in the Finnish reference group. When adjusted for confounders, women of South Asian, East Asian, Middle Eastern/North African and Russian/former USSR origin had a higher risk for GDM than Finnish origin women. By country of origin, women originating from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Afghanistan, Nepal, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Morocco, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and former USSR had a higher risk for GDM than Finnish origin women. Conclusions There is substantial variation in the prevalence of GDM by country of origin. Women of South Asian, East Asian and Middle Eastern/North African origin had the highest risk for GDM and may warrant special attention.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among women of migrant origin in Finland: A population‐based study

“…However, the healthy migrant effect may not explain the lower risk of HDP among women of migrant origin because some of these migrant origin groups also have an increased risk of several other adverse pregnancy outcomes such as gestational diabetes mellitus, emergency cesarean delivery, pre‐term birth and low birthweight. 21 , 22 It is likely that a variety of genetic and lifestyle factors play a significant role for HDP. A previous study examining the metabolic syndrome among migrants in Finland found that while many metabolic risk factors were present, average blood pressure levels and the prevalence of hypertension was lower among women of Somali and Kurdish origin compared with women in the general Finnish population.…”

Tiltak for å forebygge svangerskapsdiabetes må være kulturelt tilpasset

“…Studien viser at kvinner med innvandringsbakgrunn fra ere land i Sør-Asia, Øst-Asia, Midtøsten og Nord-Afrika samt Russland / tidligere Sovjetunionen hadde høyere risiko for svangerskapsdiabetes enn kvinner fra Finland i justerte analyser (16).…”

“…Å forebygge svangerskapskomplikasjoner hos risikogrupper er svaert viktig i oppfølgingen av gravide. At det er høyere forekomst av svangerskapsdiabetes blant innvandrerkvinner (13,15,16), tilsier at det er et stort behov for en forsterket og mer tilpasset oppfølging av innvandrerkvinner i svangerskapet.…”

The impact of regional origin on the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus in a multiethnic European cohort

“…It is known that the GDM prevalence markedly differs between different ethnic populations and hence, the region of origin has been recognized as a non-negligible risk factor. However, detailed data about each area and its specific role and importance are sparse and sometimes conflicting (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). Although Asian populations and women from the Sub-Saharan region have long been recognized as being at high risk of developing the disease, women from other regions are also often affected (3,10,11).…”

“…Migration has been steadily rising and the countries of origin have greatly diversified over the past years. As a consequence, women with migration background were reported to constitute up to 8-14% of the collective of pregnant women in two Nordic countries (8,13). In this context, pregnant women with migration background (especially those from other continents) present specific challenges related to detection and care of GDM that need to be addressed (14).…”