1 in 4 Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Have Depression

The relationship between type 2 diabetes and depression has been shown by research. In a new article published in the journal Diabetic Medicine, the relationship between gestational diabetes and depression was also revealed. According to the results of the study based on the analysis results of 62 studies conducted by our expert, one in every 4 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes has depression.

The relationship between diabetes and depression has long been the subject of much research. Type 2 diabetes, the most common diabetes in the community, was known to cause depression. However, studies have shown that women diagnosed with gestational diabetes also experience more postpartum depression. However, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases expert reminded us that there is not enough information about the risk of depression during pregnancy, and this meta-analysis study revealed that one in four women diagnosed with gestational diabetes had depression, indicating that the risk of depression in women with gestational diabetes increased 2.08 times at the time of diagnosis. Our expert emphasized that this result raises the question of whether depression triggers the development of diabetes in these women.

One in Seven Pregnant Women Has Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes, which is defined as high sugar levels during pregnancy for the first time, is a common problem both in the world and in our country, and its frequency is increasing. In a study they carried out on this subject, our expert, who reminded us that gestational diabetes was detected in one out of every 7 pregnant women in our country, continued as follows:

“It is not known exactly what causes the development of the disease. Some risk factors, such as familial and genetic factors, excess weight gained before or during pregnancy, sedentary life, diabetes disorders before pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, and a history of more than 4 kg of baby birth in previous pregnancies, are known to play a role in the development of the disease. This study shows that depression may also play a role in disease development as a new risk factor.”

Minimizes the Risks of Timely Diagnosis

Reminding that the presence of gestational diabetes is an important risk factor for both the mother, the fetus, and the newborn baby, our expert also added: "This situation may cause high blood pressure and preeclampsia during pregnancy in the mother, as well as creating risks such as disabling birth, premature birth, stillbirth, placental problems in the fetus. In newborn babies, respiratory problems cause problems such as hypoglycemia (low sugar) and birth over 4 kilograms. However, if the diagnosis is made on time with the sugar loading test during pregnancy and the treatment is performed appropriately, it can be minimized with all these problems."

Depression Can Lead to Unwanted Consequences during Pregnancy

Mood disorders are also one of the common problems of pregnancy. So much so that one in every 5 pregnant women may experience mental problems and depression during pregnancy or within the first year after birth. Yeditepe University Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases specialist, who pointed out that depression also causes undesirable consequences in pregnancy, also gave the following information on the subject:

“Hyperactivity in the fetus causes irregular heartbeat, an increase in cortisol and epinephrine hormone levels in the neonatal period, a disorder in EEG (brain wave) measurements, stress/depression-like disorders, an increase in the need for neonatal intensive care, and the risk of premature death. In childhood and adolescence, it causes an increase in the likelihood of depression, introversion, obesity, and a tendency to crimes. Therefore, monitoring women well in terms of depression at the beginning and during pregnancy and providing psychiatric support if necessary, can be an important step both in preventing these problems caused by depression and perhaps in preventing gestational diabetes."