A new study found that the use of solid fuels such as coal, crop residue and wood for cooking and heating may significantly increase the risk of gestational diabetes. This study was published in the journal Scientific Reports. These are some of the factors that cause indoor air pollution. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. This occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin resulting in increased blood sugar levels.

Gestational diabetes can affect the health of both mother and baby as it increases the chances of cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, macrosomia (high birth weight) and other complications. Although the exact cause of gestational diabetes is unclear, studies suggest that it may be caused by several factors such as obesity or hormonal fluctuations before pregnancy.

Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes also have an increased risk of childhood obesity and long-term type 2 diabetes. For the study, researchers at Zunyi Medical University in China included 4,338 women with an average age of 27 years. Of these, 302 women had GDM.

The study found that pregnant women who used solid fuel for heating had a higher risk of GDM than women who used clean energy. The results showed that pregnant mothers with GDM had higher prenatal BMI. They observed significant differences in physical activity and sleep duration compared to pregnant women without GDM.

“Our study shows that household solid-fuel use increases the susceptibility to GDM,” the researchers said. This offers a new perspective on the adverse effects of household air pollution on pregnant women.

However, the study found that adopting a healthy lifestyle made a profound difference.

The incidence rate of GDM decreased when a healthy lifestyle such as proper diet, adequate sleep, normal weight was included. Higher intake of vegetables and fruits and proper vitamin D supplementation also helped reduce the risk of GDM.

The researchers also said, “This suggests that following a healthy lifestyle may reduce the risk of GDM in pregnant women exposed to household air pollution.”

This study has been done at a time when the air quality in the national capital has reached critical and extremely poor levels in the last few days. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average air quality remains in the ‘very poor’ category and dense fog has engulfed the capital. The air quality was recorded as ‘severe’ in many areas of Delhi and the AQI reached 433 in Anand Vihar.

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