1 in 8 mums in England diagnosed with gestational diabetes—up from 1 in 12 in 2018

Rise greatest in women of colour and those living in deprivation
These mums also at greatest risk of pregnancy complications

One in eight mums (12%) in England are now diagnosed with gestational diabetes—up from 1 in 12 (8%) in 2018—finds a study of 5 years of hospital care data published in the open access journal BMJ Medicine.

The findings, which are based on 2,314,365 women, aged 16-50, who gave birth to 22,758,170 babies in 184 hospitals across England, show that the increase in cases was highest among women of colour (23% among Asian women) and those living in deprivation (14%).

These mothers were also at greatest risk of pregnancy complications, such as emergency Caesarean section (36% higher odds for Black mothers); preterm birth (29% higher odds for deprived mothers); and having a baby that was small for gestational age (more than twice as likely for Asian mothers). Gestational diabetes was also associated with an increase in the odds of a preterm birth.

“The substantial increase in the incidence of gestational diabetes should be recognised as a vulnerability in the healthcare system, affecting the wellbeing of mothers and their children,” highlight the researchers.

“Strategies are urgently needed to provide and improve care for this high risk group, given the implications of gestational diabetes on the short and long term health outcomes for mothers and babies,” they conclude.

03/08/2026

Notes for editors
Research: Incidence of gestational diabetes and inequalities in adverse pregnancy outcomes in England: contemporary, cross sectional observational study of 2.7 million births Doi: 10.1136/bmjmed-2025-002412
Journal: BMJ Medicine

External funding: British Heart Foundation; Health Data Research UK