Introduction: In the United States, healthcare and social inequities produce disproportionate diabetes rates for racial and ethnic minoritized groups, including gestational diabetes (GDM). Addressing risk factors for GDM could help mitigate and improve maternal and neonatal health disparities. This study aims to compare differences in established risk factors associated with GDM and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes during pregnancy among different racial and ethnic groups.
Methods: Clinical and demographic data of pregnant women with diabetes who gave birth at Sutter Health - a large, integrated health delivery system in Northern California, were stratified (using ICD-10 codes) by diabetes diagnosis and race/ethnicity.
Results: A total of 11,916 deliveries between 1/1/2021 and 8/31/2023 were associated with diabetes; 25% were White, 26% Asian, 35% Hispanic/Latino, 4.7% Black African American (BAA), 1.1% American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander (AIAN/NHOPI). AIAN/NHOPI and BAA had higher preconception BMI, higher rates of hypertension and higher average HbA1c in the first and third trimesters (Table).
Conclusion: Pre-existing risk factors and diabetes during pregnancy vary by race and ethnicity. Culturally tailored and appropriate policies and interventions are needed to reduce health disparities and improve maternal and fetal outcomes.
R. Lane: None. F. Farrokhi: None. Y. Guo: None. A. Scott: None. D. Kerr: Advisory Panel; Abbott Diagnostics. Consultant; Sanofi, Better Therapeutics, Inc. Stock/Shareholder; Glooko, Inc.
