Perspectives on gestational diabetes mellitus in South Africa.

The field of gestational diabetes mellitus has attracted increasing attention and research in South Africa (SA) over the past decade, creating a better understanding of the disease burden, risk factors, availability of specialised healthcare services, and importantly the far-reaching maternal and childhood consequences beyond the pregnancy. This article brings together all the local published literature in the field and outlines the implications of this condition, together with recommendations regarding particular areas that require attention in order to prevent and alleviate the disease burden in SA.

The impact of maternal hyperglycaemia first detected in pregnancy on offspring blood pressure in Soweto, South Africa.

Background: The long-term consequences for offspring born to mothers with hyperglycaemia first detected in pregnancy (HFDP) are not yet well understood and its influence on childhood blood pressure has not previously been assessed in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between maternal HFDP and offspring blood pressure in 3 to 6-year-old children in Soweto, South Africa.

Methods: Oscillometric blood pressure was measured in 189 children born to mothers with and without HFDP diagnosed by 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test.

Cardiometabolic outcomes of women exposed to hyperglycaemia first detected in pregnancy at 3-6 years post-partum in an urban South African setting.

Background: Hyperglycaemia first detected during pregnancy(HFDP) has far-reaching maternal consequences beyond the pregnancy. Our study evaluated the cardiometabolic outcomes in women with prior HFDP versus women without HFDP 3-6 years post-partum in urban South Africa.

Design And Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed of 103 black African women with prior HFDP and 101 without HFDP, 3-6 years post-partum at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto.

Cognitive and Motor Development in 3- to 6-Year-Old Children Born to Mothers with Hyperglycaemia First Detected in Pregnancy in an Urban African Population.

Objectives: Hyperglycaemia first detected in pregnancy (HFDP), on the rise in urban sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), may negatively impact foetal neurodevelopment, with potential long-term cognitive consequences for the child. Data on this association from SSA is lacking, and we aimed to investigate the association in 3- to 6-year-old children in Soweto, South Africa.

Methods: In this comparative study, we compared cognitive skills measured with the Herbst Early Childhood Development Criteria test in 95 children born to mothers with HFDP and 99 participants unexposed to maternal HFDP.

Obesity and adiposity of 3- to 6-year-old children born to mothers with hyperglycaemia first detected in pregnancy in an urban South African setting.

Background: Understanding the association between maternal metabolic conditions in pregnancy and the risk of childhood overweight, a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), helps to identify opportunities for childhood obesity prevention.

Aim: To assess the association between hyperglycaemia first detected in pregnancy (HFDP) (gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM] and diabetes in pregnancy [DIP]) and child obesity and adiposity in pre-school-aged children in South Africa, independently of maternal BMI.

Subjects And Methods: Measurement of anthropometry and fat mass index (FMI) by the deuterium dilution method was done for 102 3-6-year-old children born to mothers with HFDP and 102 HFDP-unexposed children.