Sharing and Learning: Gestational Diabetes Project Implementation and Future Impact – Michigan Experience

As the obesity epidemic unfolds on a global stage, two new groups of patients find themselves in the spotlight: pregnant women and their developing offspring. Recent research links maternal obesity as well as type 2 diabetes to a spectrum of abnormal conditions that occur during fetal development. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), defined as glucose intolerance that is first detected during pregnancy are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes following pregnancy.  GDM affects approximately 2% to 4% of all pregnant women (~135,000 women each year).

Objective:To describe new partnership among public health professionals and providers targeted to improving the health outcomes during pregnancy and beyond. 

Methods:Michigan implemented a special project that involved three perinatal clinics affiliated to large tertiary birthing centers where the maternal fetal medicine providers offer also screening and treatment for gestational diabetes. The clinic selection was based on the geographic location and population characteristics. Each center performed chart abstraction for 100 patients with and 100 patients without GDM. The case-control matching criteria were BMI and parity. For data collection standardization, the Department of Community Health created a database that mirrored the form developed by the Gestational Diabetes Collaborative.     

Results:The analysis of data collected by all three centers is in progress.   

Conclusion:Besides validating the information collected on the screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes, we will seek providers’ input for the translation of the study findings.  Health care providers and public health officials are expected to encourage the promotion of healthy lifestyles during and after pregnancy.