Master trainers to tackle gestational diabetes mellitus

Chennai, May 18: In a bid to effectively control gestational

mellitus among pregnant women, three medical forums have come together to prepare 100 master trainers through a speciality course on GDM.

The trainers would then train 1,000 obstetricians and gynaecologists.

Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group India (DIPSI) and World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) are preparing these master trainers through the speciality course.

"While the Maternal Mortality Rate in the West is around 10 per 1,00,000 women, it is 212 per 1,00,000 women in India. In some parts of Uttar Pradesh it goes up to over 480. We need more trained obstetricians and gynaecologists in the country," FOGSI president Hema Divakar told reporters here.

While over 27 million deliveries happen in India every year, there are only over 27,000 obstetricians and gynaecologists in the country, she said.

"GDM is increasing in India. In 1982, it was two per cent and 7.2 per cent in 1991. But in 2002, it doubled and became 16.55 per cent, which is a dangerous trend," DIPSI chairman Dr V Seshiah said.

Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been doing well in the country in terms of reducing the percentage, he said, adding that while Tamil Nadu reduced MMR to 97/1,00,000, Kerala reported 94/1,00,000.

WDF member Dr Anil Kapur underlined the importance of 1,000 golden days concept, which included the mother's pregnancy and the consecutive two years.

"If the mother takes care of her health during pregnancy and the following two years, there are more chances that the child will be healthy and free of diabetes," Kapur said.

PTI