Awareness Of Gestational Diabetes Among Young Nulliparous Literate Women In Urban Areas, in Mumbai, India

India has an alarmingly high rate of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, a data collection from 2014 states the prevalence to be 16.55% in India; higher in younger women. Primarily to increase awareness of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus signs & symptoms, risk factors, complications associated with it during pregnancy & probable health problems after delivery. 205 young, nulliparous, literate women from urban areas of Mumbai were interviewed via a validated questionnaire over a period of 5 months. Females between the age group of 18-30 years participated in the study. Majority women were graduates between the age group of 18-24 years. It was noted that a mere 8% were aware that the test for GDM is conducted in between the 22-24 weeks of pregnancy, while 21% were aware test performed for diagnosis of GDM is a blood test following glucose overload. 75% were aware about GDM causing complications during pregnancy while 77% were aware that both mother & foetus maybe affected. 42% women were aware that children of mother's diagnosed with GDM during pregnancy were at higher risk of developing Diabetes Mellitus in their adulthood. Order of awareness of risk factors leading to GDM were as follows: Obesity > family history of diabetes mellitus > hormonal imbalance > emotional stress > sedentary lifestyle > smoking> mother of old age > history of PCOS > Vit D3 deficiency > Asian origin of mother > short stature of mother.