Abstract
Gestational diabetes has serious consequences on mothers and their children. Gestational diabetes is an
increasing public health problem in developing countries including Iraq , the etiology of this health problem
is not well understood .
The objective of this study is to identify some factors associated with gestational diabetes in Babylon
province
This was a case control study included 85 diagnosed diabetic pregnant women who were selected randomly
from patients attending three hospitals in Babylon in addition to three primary health care centers as cases
while 85 healthy women selected randomly from women attending maternal child health units as a control
group proved to be non-diabetics, the period of study extended from July, 2014 through January, 2015 .
Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire to assess some risk factors associated with
gestational diabetes.
Our study showed that the main factors that associated significantly with gestational diabetes (p<0.05 )
were maternal age after 30 years, smoking ,living in urban regions increase weight of baby during delivery
(Odds Ratio =3.322), delivery by cesarean section Odds ratio= 2.115). There was also a significant
association between family history of diabetes and having gestational diabetes (Odds Ratio =1.64 )but here
were no significant association between gestational diabetes and the fallowing variable (p>0.05) ;abortions
and family history of obesity.
In conclusion the study showed significant associations between gestational diabetes and progressive age of
pregnant woman and smoking .Delivery by cesarean section and the delivery of high weight baby were
significantly correlated with gestational diabetes.