New Coombe study tackles obesity in pregnancy

AN innovative new study in the Coombe Hospital could potentially save the Irish health service over e4 million a year in maternity service savings.

Research at the hospital is hoping to transform the outcome for obese women at risk of gestational diabetes and their babies.

The study, which is being carried out by UCD research fellow at the Coombe Dr Niamh Daly, under the supervision of Professor Michael Turner, is being partly funded by the charity Friends of The Coombe.

The first of its kind to be carried out in Ireland, the study will measure the impact of positive lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and supervised exercise classes on the blood sugar levels of pregnant women who have a body mass index equal to or more than 30.

Obesity is one of the most significant risk factors for gestational diabetes as it is the only risk factor that can be modified.

Gestational diabetes is a condition that occurs in approximately 2.7 per cent of all pregnant women and in approximately 17.5 per cent of pregnant women who are obese.

It means that their bodies are unable to produce and use the extra insulin needed for pregnancy resulting in a build-up of glucose in the blood and therefore high blood sugar levels.

The extra glucose in the blood goes through the placenta also giving the baby high blood sugar levels which requires it to produce additional insulin. As the amount of glucose the baby gets is more than it needs for normal growth, the excess ends up being stored as fat, resulting in a bigger baby.

According to Dr Daly, the long-term health implications of gestational diabetes for mother and child are far reaching.

“We know from previous research that women who develop gestational diabetes are more likely to require medical treatment and intervention such as induction of labour or delivery by caesarean section,

? she said.

“They are also seven times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in later life.

“Fetal complications can also occur and, as the baby grows up, he or she is at greater risk of becoming obese or developing type 2 diabetes.

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Dr Daly said the study was a positive approach to helping women who struggle with their weight to reduce – and hopefully eradicate – their risk of developing gestational diabetes.

The research will involve 360 women who will take part in a tailor-made exercise and healthy eating programme and who are committed to keeping themselves and their babies well during pregnancy.

“It is focused on managing blood sugar levels and we hope that a positive side-effect of the study will be better weight management during pregnancyrand beyond,

? DR Daly added.

“This is also an opportunity to positively influence the health and wellbeing of the next generation of children and adults.

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Women who are in the early weeks of pregnancy and who are interested in taking part in the trial are invited to contact Dr Niamh Daly for an informal discussion by emailing her at ndaly@ coombe.ie.