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Recording available 2/16-5/2

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Poster Session 3

Category: Diabetes

Poster Session 3

(830) Phenotypic Differences in Risk Factors and Pregnancy Outcomes of Gestational Diabetes in the Asian-American Diaspora

Thursday, February 12, 2026

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Submitting Author and Presenting Author(s)

Kandace Fung, BA (she/her/hers)

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science; David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, California, United States

Coauthor(s)

AN

Apekshya Nepal, BS

David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, California, United States
KR

Kennedi Randolph, BS

David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, California, United States
SK

Song Hyun Kim, BA, MA

David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, California, United States
NT

Nazow B. Tarakai, BA

David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, California, United States
JC

Jiayue Chen, MPH

Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, California, United States
LK

Lorna Kwan, BS, MPH

Principal Statistician
Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Christina S. Han, MD

MFM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, California, United States

Objective:
Asian American (AsA) pregnant individuals are disproportionately affected by metabolic conditions, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study aims to examine the risk factors, clinical course, and pregnancy outcomes associated with GDM among AsA populations. Our hypothesis was that risk factors and pregnancy outcomes for GDM differ between AsA and non-AsA populations.

Study Design:
We conducted a retrospective case-control study of patients at an academic institution between 01/2022 to 12/2023. Inclusion criteria were age 16-49 years, singleton gestation, and a 1hr GTT completed within the institution. Exclusion criteria included aneuploidy, pregestational diabetes, multiple gestations, bariatric surgery, cystic fibrosis, or chronic systemic steroid use. Data were abstracted from electronic health records. Comparisons were made between AsA and non-AsA, and between AsA with GDM and non-AsA with GDM (AsA+GDM vs non-AsA+GDM). Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-squared were used where appropriate.

Results:
Table 1 compares the 1216 deliveries, AsA (17%) and non-AsA (83%), with the AsA group having higher mean age (p=0.0154), lower early pregnancy BMI (p< 0.0001), more private insurance (p=0.0054), higher social vulnerability index (SVI) quartile (p=0.0019), and lower gestational age at delivery (p< 0.0001), but no differences in GDM prevalence and type. Table 2 compares AsA+GDM and non-AsA+GDM, with AsA+GDM having higher mean age (p=0.0404), higher weight gain (p=0.0317), and higher rates of perineal lacerations (p=0.0381). No differences were seen in delivery timing, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and neonatal birth weight.

Conclusion:
Despite the protective factors of lower BMI, private insurance, and higher SVI in the AsA group, the rates of GDM were the same in AsA and non-AsA pregnant persons. AsA with GDM were more likely to sustain higher weight gain in pregnancy and perineal lacerations, even with no differences in birthweight. These findings support further investigation into culturally and physiologically responsive approaches to obstetric risk mitigation for Asian American populations.