Researchers have developed a genetic risk score to identify those who would benefit most from life>
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Gestational diabetes is the most common health-related challenge during pregnancy
.
Today, one in five pregnant women in Finland is diagnosed with the disease
.
Gestational diabetes has a major impact on the health of mothers and children during pregnancy and after childbirth
.
A study conducted at the University of Helsinki investigated the impact of life>
.
In the Finnish Gestational Diabetes Prevention Study (RADIEL), study subjects received intensive physical activity and dietary counselling during pregnancy and in the first year postpartum
.
In this study, a polygenic risk score (PRS), which describes the genetic risk of diabetes, was calculated from genetic variants known to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes
.
Risk scores for type 2 diabetes were associated with elevated blood glucose levels in the second and third trimesters and one year after delivery
.
"Gestational diabetes, prediabetes and diabetes in the postpartum year were also more common among those with higher scores," said OB/GYN specialist Emilia Huvinen
.
Targeted measures are better
Genetic risk also influences the link between life>
.
"According to our study, intensive life>
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According to her, the findings are significant, even globally unique
.
"Our study provides a possible explanation for the conflicting results of previous studies on the prevention of gestational diabetes to date," explained Huvinen
.
According to the researchers, the genetic risk score will have the potential to identify the most at-risk pregnant women and target them with resources and the most effective preventive measures
.
This is very important for the limited social resources and the health of these mothers and their children
.
"At the same time, it's important to realize that when it comes to diabetes, our genetic background does not determine our future
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With the help of a healthy life>
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How the research was conducted
The Finnish Gestational Diabetes Prevention Study (RADIEL) was conducted in Helsinki and Lappeenranta during 2008-2013
.The intervention study involved women at high risk of diabetes who were planning pregnancy or who were already in the first trimester, were obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2), or had a history of gestational diabetes
.A total of 724 women were randomly assigned to a control group or to three intensive physical activity and dietary interventions during pregnancy and three times within a year postpartum
.Dietary recommendations follow the Nordic dietary guidelines, along with 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week
.A polygenic risk score (PRS) for genetic risk of diabetes was calculated using 50 known risk variants associated with type 2 diabetes
.
