Epidemio-clinical profile of gestational diabetes in two reference hospitals of Yaoundé, Cameroon

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as any degree of glucose intolerance, beginning or diagnosed during pregnancy for the first time. The global prevalence of GDM is reported to be as high as 20%. This is why we initiated the present study. The main objective of this survey was to investigate the epidemiological profile of women with GDM in two referral hospitals of Yaoundé, Cameroon. This was an observational study with descriptive longitudinal historical design, conducted at the Yaoundé Central Hospital (YCH) and the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital (YGOPH). The study period was from January 2018 to January 2020 and the duration of the investigation was 7 months. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 20. A total of 34 pregnant women with GDM were identified out of 652. The overall prevalence of GDM was 5.2%. The mean age of these women was 31.8±4.4 years. Most women were multiparous (15: 44.0%). Majority (21: 61.6%) were followed by both gynecologist and endocrinologist. Known cardiovascular risk factors found were mainly smoking (34: 100%), low sports practice (20: 58%) and family history of diabetes (21: 61.1%), with first degree predominance 17 (80.5%). The first antenatal consultation (ANC) in average was at 12±2.5 weeks. Most women were symptomatic with cardinal syndrome comprising polyuria (32: 94.2%), polydipsia (22: 64.1%) and polyphagia (21: 61.6%). Majority (25: 73.3%) were managed with Insulin. GDM is prevalent and a major public health problem in our milieu. There is need for systematic screening to prevent adverse perinatal outcomes.