Metabolic status prior to pregnancy may determine if a woman will develop type 2 diabetes after becoming pregnant, according to findings published in the American Journal Epidemiology.

Researchers have previously found that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnoses during pregnancy can lead to type 2 diabetes after a woman’s child is born. In order to better understand this health risk, investigators monitored more than 1,100 women aged 18-30 prior to giving birth who developed GDM.

The patients were also asked to report their lifestyle, medical conditions, medication use, family history of diabetes, number of pregnancies and births as well as previous diagnoses of gestational diabetes. As a result, approximately 27 percent of the participants with cardio-metabolic problems developed GDM, while more than 7 percent who were of the metabolic risks also had GDM.

The researchers concluded that prior to pregnancy, women should discuss undergoing a metabolic screening with their doctors.

“Women may benefit from a focus on care before conception that would encourage screening for metabolic abnormalities before pregnancy, rather than only during pregnancy,” stated Erica P. Gunderson, lead author of the study. She added that “screening and treatment of metabolic risk factors before pregnancy to prevent GDM may help reduce its lasting adverse health effects on children.”

Each year, approximately 47 million Americans are diagnosed with a metabolic disorder, the American Heart Association reports.