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. 2025 Dec;18(1):2460339.
doi: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2460339. Epub 2025 Feb 10.

Prevalence and risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women in northern Vietnam: a cross-sectional study

Hieu Minh Le  1   2 , Thi Ai Nguyen  3 , Dang Kien Nguyen  4 , Ditte Søndergaard Linde  5   6 , Ib Christian Bygbjerg  7 , Jens Søndergaard  8 , Thanh Duc Nguyen  3 , Bay Quang Nguyen  2   9 , Ngoc-Anh Thi Dang  3 , Xuan Bai Nguyen  10 , Dan W Meyrowitsch  7 , Christina A Vinter  5   6 , Tine M Gammeltoft  11 , Vibeke Rasch  5   6
Affiliations

Prevalence and risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women in northern Vietnam: a cross-sectional study

Hieu Minh Le et al. Glob Health Action. 2025 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes. Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of GDM is necessary to plan health care interventions and policy.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of GDM in Thai Binh, Vietnam.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two health facilities in Thai Binh, Vietnam, with the participation of 1,106 pregnant women. Women were recruited at their first antenatal care visit where face-to-face interviews about socioeconomic and reproductive factors were performed. A 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was conducted at 24-28 weeks of gestation. GDM was diagnosed according to the World Health Organization 2013 criteria. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the factors associated with GDM.

Results: The prevalence rate of GDM was 27.1%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed maternal age from 25 to 34 (adjusted OR 2.0; 95%CI 1.3-2.9), maternal age ≥ 35 (adjusted OR 3.0; 95%CI 1.7-5.4), pregestational body mass index ≥ 23 (adjusted OR 1.6; 95%CI 1.1-2.3), family history of diabetes (adjusted OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.3-2.9), fertility treatment (adjusted OR 2.3; 95%CI 1.3-3.8), and previous GDM (adjusted OR 3.1; 95%CI 1.4-6.9) were associated with increased odds of GDM.

Conclusions: More than one-fourth of pregnant women in Thai Binh, Vietnam, may have GDM. Advanced maternal age, high pregestational body mass index, family history of diabetes, and previous GDM were associated with increased risk of GDM. Additionally, fertility treatment appears to be strongly associated with an increased risk of GDM.

Keywords: Family health; fertility treatment; gestational diabetes mellitus; pregnancy; prenatal care; risk factors.

Plain language summary

Main findings This study highlights the prevalence of gestational diabetes in semi-urban areas of Vietnam and its association with fertility treatment.Added knowledge The prevalence of gestational diabetes is high, and fertility treatment is strongly associated with the increasing risk of gestational diabetes in semi-urban areas in lower-middle-income countries.Global health impact for policy and action Intervention efforts to prevent gestational diabetes need to focus on women of reproductive age at high risk due to factors such as fertility treatment, obesity, advanced age, previous macrosomia, and previous gestational diabetes before pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flow chart of participants in the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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