Background of the Study

Gestational diabetes is a disorder in the glucose metabolism that occurs or is diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. The causes for this are manifold.

Due to the reduced insulin effect, the body must produce more insulin. If this is not possible, increased blood glucose levels and possibly diabetes occur. Although insulin therapy is rarely required and most women have normal blood glucose levels after birth, the risk for these women to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus in their further life is increased.
 

Suitable Participants

• Baseline examination: Women in the 24th - 32nd week of pregnancy
• 1, 2, 5 and 10 years after delivery of your child: if during the pregnancy an oGTT was carried out and documented

Most Important Exclusion Criteria

• Age under 18 years
• Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Serious disease, e.g. symptomatic coronary heart disease
• Severe consuming diseases (cancer)
• Severe liver or kidney disease
• Systemic infections
• Mental illness with limited ability to cooperate
• Cortisone therapy

Course of the Study

The study includes a baseline examination during pregnancy (24th – 31st week + 6 weeks of pregnancy), as well as follow-up examinations 1, 2, 5 and 10 years after the birth of the child. A physical examination and an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) are performed during the baseline examination. One year after the birth of your child you will undergo follow-up examinations including a physical examination with electrocardiogram (ECG), an oGTT, and determination of your physical fitness and your fat distribution. These are repeated two, five and ten years after the birth of your child.

Examinations

• Physical examination by a doctor, including an ECG
• Body measurements (weight, height, hip and waist circumference)
• Blood samples
• Various metabolic tests
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging of intra-abdominal fat and liver fat content)

Compensation for Expenses

All examinations are free of charge for you. The costs are borne by the Center. Please inquire about a financial compensation at the respective study center.