Early Gestational Diabetes Raises Postpartum Diabetes Risk, finds study

The primary outcome was the diagnosis rate of postpartum diabetes. Secondary outcomes included postpartum visit attendance, completion and interpretation of oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. A total of 11 studies involving 1,573 women with early GDM and 3,340 with standard GDM were included in the final analysis.

Key Findings

Early GDM group (n = 1,573):

• Postpartum diabetes: 12.8%

• Impaired glucose tolerance: 24.7%

• Mean age: 30.2–37.0 years

• Mean BMI: 24.4–35.6 kg/m²

Standard GDM group (n = 3,340):

• Postpartum diabetes: 6.1%

• Impaired glucose tolerance: 13.0%

• Mean age: 28.9–32.8 years

• Mean BMI: 23.6–36.0 kg/m²

• Risk of postpartum diabetes: Almost twice (RR = 1.89) in early GDM

• Risk of impaired glucose tolerance: Almost twice (RR = 1.84) in early GDM

• Follow-up duration: Primarily 5–12 weeks after delivery, one study up to 6 years

This study affirmed that women with GDM diagnosed earlier than 24 weeks of pregnancy have a considerably increased risk of developing diabetes after delivery compared with those diagnosed after this time point. With approximately 13% of early GDM patients advancing to postpartum diabetes compared with slightly over 6% in usual GDM, the results underscore the necessity for increased vigilance, early intervention, and prolonged postpartum surveillance in this at-risk population.

Reference:

Weingarten, S. J., Levy, A. T., Al-Kouatly, H. B., & McLaren, R. A., Jr. (2025). Postpartum diabetes mellitus among patients with early gestational diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 109038, 109038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2025.109038