In 2024, 6.5 percent of all people who gave birth were diagnosed with gestational diabetes, that is, elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
The proportion has increased over time, but there may be an undercount.
Knowing how large a proportion have it is part of the problem. Different regions use different thresholds and measure in slightly different ways, says Sofia von Malortie, head of unit at the National Board of Health and Welfare.
Only seven out of 21 regions follow the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's previously recommended cut-off values, which are in line with the World Health Organization (WHO). Most regions previously had significantly higher cut-off values.
Sofia von Malortie talks about people who received a diagnosis and follow-up during a pregnancy in one region, but after moving to another, did not receive a diagnosis or follow-up during their next pregnancy.
This, of course, creates concern among those patients, she says.
The fetus is growing
The new recommendations include adjusted cut-off values and allow those at increased risk to be offered earlier testing. This applies to, among other things, those with a BMI over 30, those with a previous birth of a large baby or those who have first-degree relatives with diabetes.
The disease involves, among other things, an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth and the baby being born larger than normal.
If the fetus is exposed to high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, it grows more. These fetuses often become disproportionately large in the shoulders and upper body, says von Malortie.
Those who have been diagnosed are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Children have an increased risk of being overweight and having impaired metabolism.
Snowball effect
The disease is closely linked to lifestyle habits and the trend towards a more sedentary society.
It is sometimes described as a generational disease, increasing the susceptibility to metabolic diseases with each generation.
It's like a snowball effect.
But it also means that you can reverse the trend. If you can treat this and have a healthier mother, then you can have a healthier child. Then you affect the health of that whole family for many years to come, says von Malortie.
Facts: Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. In addition to type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there are other types of diabetes.
During pregnancy, the body's cells become less sensitive to the hormone insulin, which is needed to absorb blood sugar. Therefore, the body needs to produce more insulin than usual, and if it can't, blood sugar levels will be too high. There also has to be enough insulin to meet the needs of the larger body.
Gestational diabetes is partly hereditary. The risk of developing it increases if, for example, a person has had it before or is overweight.
Being physically active and not gaining too much weight during pregnancy can reduce the risk. It is also good to eat regularly.
Blood sugar levels usually return to normal after pregnancy.
Source: 1177
