Subsequent pregnancies in women with prior mild gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) did not increase the frequency of metabolic syndrome; however, subsequent pregnancies with GDM did increase the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) outside of pregnancy, a recent study found. This observational follow-up study included 905 eligible women with mild GDM who were randomized from 2002 to 2007 to usual care or dietary intervention and glucose self-monitoring. Participants were evaluated 5-10 years after the parent study and were grouped according to the number of subsequent pregnancies (group A, none; group B, 1; group C, ≥2). Researchers found:

• 426 women were included in the analysis (group A, n=212; group B, n=142; group C, n=71).
• 32% of women with subsequent pregnancies had another pregnancy complicated with GDM.
• There was no difference between groups for metabolic syndrome.
• Subsequent pregnancies were associated with DM outside of pregnancy (group A, 5.2%; group B, 10.5%, RR 2.62; group C, 11.3%, RR, 2.83), and if complicated with GDM.