Gestational Diabetes Shows Genetic Link in Genes HKDC1 and BACE2

Many might not know it, but during the 24^th week of pregnancy, some women may develop gestational diabetes. While this diagnosis doesn't mean you previously had diabetic tendencies or you will have diabetes following the birth of your child, blood sugar levels need to be checked in order to plan out the rest of your pregnancy safely.

According to a recent study, there could be a genetic component in determining whether a pregnant woman will develop gestational diabetes.

Researchers at New Northwestern Medicine show that 18 percent of pregnancies are affected by the health issue. Fortunately, for most, it resolves itself. However, gestational diabetes typically leads to a larger baby and can also cause complications during delivery. Sometimes, it can even increase the  child's risk of developing metabolic diseases, such as diabetes in childhood and adulthood.

Background information from the study also shows that gestational diabetes has been associated with type 2 diabetes during pregnancy, resistance to insulin increases and is similar to the effect of weight gain during the non-pregnant state.

Yet researchers found two genes in particular that they believe may show a genetic link to the disease: HKDC1 and BACE2. Both are commonly associated with measures of glucose and insulin levels in pregnant women. However, they are not necessarily associated with the measures in the rest of the population, including those that have type 2 diabetes.

"With additional study and verification of these and other risk genes, we could one day have genetic risk profiles to identify individuals at elevated risk for developing gestational diabetes," said M. Geoffrey Hayes, first author of the study, via a press release.

These findings could help determine which women are more likely to develop gestational diabetes and more specific ways to prevent it.

More information regarding the study can be found in the journal of the American Diabetes Association.