Gestational Diabetes Cases On The Rise In Ludhiana

Wed, 16 Nov 2011

An increasing number of pregnant women in the city of Ludhiana, Punjab, are developing gestational diabetes mellitus, putting their baby’s health at risk.

A recent study conducted by city diabetologist Dr Geeta Puri Arora, who is carrying out a two-year project funded by World Diabetes Foundation, showed that the percentage of expectant mothers suffering from gestational diabetes has risen by a third to 11-12 per cent since 2008.

"It is an alarming trend mainly because the percentage of patients is a rising fast," she said.

"Three years ago a survey conducted by a leading health institution in Ludhiana revealed that gestational diabetes was present in 7-8 per cent of pregnant women."

Dr Arora explained that the main components of her project are screening pregnant women for gestational diabetes, training healthcare professionals for its treatment and creating awareness about the disease.

Dr Ramanbir Singh, senior endocrinologist at SPS Apollo Hospital, backed the research and stressed that bad eating habits and lack of exercise are costing people in Ludhiana dear.

"Ludhianvis love oily and fatty food which is one of the main causes for high gestational diabetes among pregnant women here," added Dr Mani Kant Singhla, consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

"The problem is aggravated due to the urban lifestyle, which has made pregnant women stop any physical activity.''

Dr Singhla also highlighted a growing diabetes problem among young residents in the city. He said the number of 14-18 year olds with diabetes approaching the DMCH each month has risen from 1-4 patients in 2006 to 8-10 in 2011, and blamed the high prevalence among youths on a "high intake of junk food" and lack of exercise .

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