Background: The number of patients with diabetes is growing worldwide. In particular this increase, most pronounced for type 2 diabetes, affects South-Asians. In Norway pregnant women originating from this region are more prone to gestational diabetes than ethnic Norwegians. More knowledge is needed to prevent and treat this disease effectively. Here we give a brief overview of the epidemiology and risk factors associated with gestational diabetes.
Materials and methods: Information related to gestational diabetes was obtained from various databases, including PubMed, HighWire and Ovid, in addition to our own experience.
Results and interpretation: Some methodological aspects preclude a definite assessment of the true extent of gestational diabetes nationally as well as internationally. About 0.01 3% of Caucasian pregnancies are affected while the corresponding number among South-Asian women is 5 to 10 times higher. Most studies identify obesity as an important risk factor. Generally, advice on diet and physical activity can prevent diabetes. Similar interventions might also be useful among the increasing population of immigrant fertile women in Norway.