Health and Me

Aarushi Bhadury

Allergic Reactions Lead To Unnecessary Hospitalizations In Kids – How Can Parents Help Prevent This?

Allergic Reactions Lead to Unnecessary Hospitalizations In Kids

<span>Allergic reactions</span> are a common occurrence and can happen to anyone. Many people ingest things they do not know they are allergic to or accidentally eat something that is cross contaminated with <span>allergens</span>. The reaction one gets to coming in contact with their allergens depends on how <span>severe their allergies</span> are. 

<span>Allergic reactions in kids</span> happen more often than we know, and many of these kids end up hospitalized. However, most of these could be avoided according to new research.

About 17% of children are currently staying overnight in the hospital after a serious allergic reaction to food, medicine, or insect bites. However, this study, published in The Lancet, indicates that most of these long stays might not be needed. 

Researchers found that a high percentage of children, 95%, who were treated with a common allergy medication, could safely go home within just two hours. This number goes up to 98% if they are watched for four hours. 

One of the researchers, a children's emergency specialist, noted that most patients are likely observed for too long. He explained that for families, this could mean the difference between leaving the hospital at 11 p.m. versus 1 a.m. or 3 a.m.

An allergy happens when your body's defense system, called the immune system, mistakenly thinks something is harmful and reacts too strongly to it. The problems you feel because of this reaction are called an allergic reaction. The things that cause these reactions are known as allergens. Allergens can enter your body in several ways, leading to an allergic reaction

<h2>How Allergies Are Affecting More And More Kids?</h2>

While most kids get better quickly with the first dose of medicine, about 5% might have their symptoms return later, even after the initial treatment. 

For this study, researchers looked at information from over 5,600 emergency room visits at many hospitals in the U.S. and Canada where allergic reactions were treated with the common allergy medication. Most of these reactions (about 90%) were caused by foods like peanuts, eggs, milk, and shellfish. Medicines caused about 6% of reactions, and insect stings caused 3%. 

The study showed that only about 5% of children needed a second dose of medicine within two hours of their first shot, and this dropped to just 2% after four hours. Importantly, most children who were admitted to the hospital never needed a second dose or intensive care.

Keeping kids in the hospital longer than needed causes problems. As one allergy expert pointed out, families might avoid or delay going to the emergency room because they don't want to spend hours waiting. Such delays can be dangerous. Allowing patients to go home sooner could encourage them to get help when they need it. 

Also, holding kids in the hospital unnecessarily uses up important hospital resources. A senior researcher explained that children's emergency departments can get very busy, especially during winter. Making sure patients move through efficiently helps the hospital care for as many people as possible. He added that because this study was so large, its results can give doctors confidence that sending children home in less than two hours, if they show no concerning symptoms, will be safe for most kids. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp; Immunology, allergies and asthma can be prevented with the correct steps. 

<h2>How Parents Can Help Prevent Allergies In Children?</h2>

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp; Immunology, allergies and asthma can be prevented with the correct steps.

Food allergies range from mild to severe, often triggered by peanuts, milk, and eggs. Babies are at higher risk if family members have allergies or if the baby already has eczema.

<strong>Diet During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding</strong>

Don't avoid common allergens while pregnant or breastfeeding for allergy prevention; research shows little benefit. Breast milk is ideal, strengthening immunity and reducing allergy risk. If needed, use special hypoallergenic formulas.

Start single-ingredient baby foods (fruits, veggies, cereals) at 4-6 months, one at a time. Importantly, introduce common allergens like egg and peanuts during this period. Delaying might increase allergy risk.

<strong>When to See a Specialist</strong>

Consult an allergist if your baby has allergic reactions, like bad eczema, or if a sibling has a peanut allergy. They'll provide expert guidance and a personalized plan.

<h4>Environmental Allergies and Asthma</h4>

Reduce dust mite exposure early, especially for high-risk children, to delay or prevent symptoms. Use allergen-proof covers, wash bedding weekly in hot water, and keep humidity low. Remove carpets if possible.

The link between early animal exposure and allergies is complex. Newer research suggests early exposure to cats and dogs might actually protect children. Discuss this with your doctor.

Crucially, shield children from tobacco smoke before and after birth. Smoking during pregnancy increases infant wheezing. Secondhand smoke boosts asthma risk and other breathing problems.

<strong>Benefits of Breastfeeding</strong>

Breastfeeding for at least 4-6 months strengthens a child's immune system. This helps fight lung infections that trigger asthma, potentially reducing long-term asthma risk.

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Allergic Reactions and Hospitalizations

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Allergic reactions are a common occurrence and can happen to anyone. Many people ingest things they do not know they are allergic to or accidentally eat something that is cross contaminated with allergens. The reaction one gets to coming in contact with their allergens depends on how severe their allergies are. Allergic reactions in kids happen more often than we know, and many of these kids end up hospitalized. However, most of these could be avoided according to new research.About 17% of children are currently staying overnight in the hospital after a serious allergic reaction to food, medicine, or insect bites. However, this study, published in The Lancet, indicates that most of these long stays might not be needed. Researchers found that a high percentage of children, 95%, who were treated with a common allergy medication, could safely go home within just two hours. This number goes up to 98% if they are watched for four hours. One of the researchers, a children's emergency specialist, noted that most patients are likely observed for too long. He explained that for families, this could mean the difference between leaving the hospital at 11 p.m. versus 1 a.m. or 3 a.m.An allergy happens when your body's defense system, called the immune system, mistakenly thinks something is harmful and reacts too strongly to it. The problems you feel because of this reaction are called an allergic reaction. The things that cause these reactions are known as allergens. Allergens can enter your body in several ways, leading to an allergic reactionHow Allergies Are Affecting More And More Kids?While most kids get better quickly with the first dose of medicine, about 5% might have their symptoms return later, even after the initial treatment. For this study, researchers looked at information from over 5,600 emergency room visits at many hospitals in the U.S. and Canada where allergic reactions were treated with the common allergy medication. Most of these reactions (about 90%) were caused by foods like peanuts, eggs, milk, and shellfish. Medicines caused about 6% of reactions, and insect stings caused 3%. The study showed that only about 5% of children needed a second dose of medicine within two hours of their first shot, and this dropped to just 2% after four hours. Importantly, most children who were admitted to the hospital never needed a second dose or intensive care.Keeping kids in the hospital longer than needed causes problems. As one allergy expert pointed out, families might avoid or delay going to the emergency room because they don't want to spend hours waiting. Such delays can be dangerous. Allowing patients to go home sooner could encourage them to get help when they need it. Also, holding kids in the hospital unnecessarily uses up important hospital resources. A senior researcher explained that children's emergency departments can get very busy, especially during winter. Making sure patients move through efficiently helps the hospital care for as many people as possible. He added that because this study was so large, its results can give doctors confidence that sending children home in less than two hours, if they show no concerning symptoms, will be safe for most kids. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, allergies and asthma can be prevented with the correct steps. How Parents Can Help Prevent Allergies In Children?According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, allergies and asthma can be prevented with the correct steps. Preventing Food AllergiesUnderstanding the RiskFood allergies range from mild to severe, often triggered by peanuts, milk, and eggs. Babies are at higher risk if family members have allergies or if the baby already has eczema.Diet During Pregnancy and BreastfeedingDon't avoid common allergens while pregnant or breastfeeding for allergy prevention; research shows little benefit. Breast milk is ideal, strengthening immunity and reducing allergy risk. If needed, use special hypoallergenic formulas.Introducing Solid FoodsStart single-ingredient baby foods (fruits, veggies, cereals) at 4-6 months, one at a time. Importantly, introduce common allergens like egg and peanuts during this period. Delaying might increase allergy risk.When to See a SpecialistConsult an allergist if your baby has allergic reactions, like bad eczema, or if a sibling has a peanut allergy. They'll provide expert guidance and a personalized plan.Environmental Allergies and AsthmaDust MitesReduce dust mite exposure early, especially for high-risk children, to delay or prevent symptoms. Use allergen-proof covers, wash bedding weekly in hot water, and keep humidity low. Remove carpets if possible.Pets and Other AnimalsThe link between early animal exposure and allergies is complex. Newer research suggests early exposure to cats and dogs might actually protect children. Discuss this with your doctor.Tobacco SmokeCrucially, shield children from tobacco smoke before and after birth. Smoking during pregnancy increases infant wheezing. Secondhand smoke boosts asthma risk and other breathing problems.Benefits of BreastfeedingBreastfeeding for at least 4-6 months strengthens a child's immune system. This helps fight lung infections that trigger asthma, potentially reducing long-term asthma risk.

allergic reactions lead to unnecessary hospitalizations in kids – could these be avoided?

Teen Stress Is A Threat To Their Immune System - Here's What Can Help

Teen Stress Is A Threat To Their Immune System

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You can't completely shield your teen from stress, and a little bit can even be good for them. However, too much stress might make them more likely to get sick. For instance, teens feeling overloaded due to midterms, college applications, or other school pressures could become more vulnerable to catching viruses. This is because stress genuinely affects our bodies, making us more prone to illness, especially during winter when colds and flu spread easily in schools.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Stress Weakens the Immune System</span> </h2>

According to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine ongoing stress directly hits a teen's immune system, which is their body's way of fighting off sickness. When stress hormones are released, they can damage the immune system. Long-term stress can even lower the number of white blood cells that fight infections. If teens are always busy, not sleeping enough, and ignoring their own self-care, it sets them up perfectly to get sick. Stress also causes swelling in the body, which further weakens the immune system. During very stressful times like exams, it's really important to encourage teens to slow down and take care of their body and mind

<h2>Tips to Help Teens Stay Healthy and Less Stressed </h2>

Here are some simple ways to help your teen stay healthy, both mentally and physically: 

Most teens don't sleep enough; they often get only about 7 hours, but they need much more, especially when stressed. Aim for up to 10 hours of sleep a night during stressful times. Good sleep helps their body and mind recharge, boosts their immune system, helps them manage emotions, and improves their thinking. Help them set a sleep schedule, put away phones at least two hours before bed, keep their room dark and cool, and try relaxing activities before sleep. 

Help your teen discover ways to calm down and lower stress. This could be things like walking outside in nature, making a healthy meal, writing in a journal, trying simple breathing exercises, or using a meditation app. Teens who regularly practice mindful exercises to reduce stress often feel much less stressed overall. 

Many teens spend hours every day on phones and other devices outside of school. Too much screen time can actually make stress worse, not better. Encourage your teen to "unplug" by taking breaks from their devices. Suggest setting time limits for apps and social media. 

If your teen has a stressful event coming up, help them prepare. Suggest a study schedule with breaks, and work together to make a plan. Getting organized can really help. Encourage them to use a planner or calendar, or help them make "to-do" lists, which makes managing deadlines easier. 

While sugary snacks and caffeine might seem helpful during study sessions, they usually do more harm than good. Keep healthy snacks like protein bars, nuts, and fruit around. Providing healthy, comforting meals can also help lower stress. And don't forget to remind them to drink plenty of water, as not drinking enough can affect their body and even make them feel more anxious. 

Stress and anxiety can cause physical symptoms that feel a lot like being sick, such as headaches, stomach aches, and muscle pain. Often, teens might "feel" sick when they are actually just anxious. It's tough to measure stress because what causes it and how much it affects someone is different for everyone. It's important to talk to your teen about how they're feeling. If they have physical symptoms, take them to a doctor to make sure they aren't actually sick with the flu or another virus. 

If your teen does get sick during a stressful time, help them deal with it so it doesn't add more stress. Let them know it's okay to take breaks for their health, and help them figure out how to catch up on any schoolwork. Teaching teens to take care of themselves is really important. 

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You can't completely shield your teen from stress, and a little bit can even be good for them. However, too much stress might make them more likely to get sick. For instance, teens feeling overloaded due to midterms, college applications, or other school pressures could become more vulnerable to catching viruses. This is because stress genuinely affects our bodies, making us more prone to illness, especially during winter when colds and flu spread easily in schools. Stress Weakens the Immune System According to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine ongoing stress directly hits a teen's immune system, which is their body's way of fighting off sickness. When stress hormones are released, they can damage the immune system. Long-term stress can even lower the number of white blood cells that fight infections. If teens are always busy, not sleeping enough, and ignoring their own self-care, it sets them up perfectly to get sick. Stress also causes swelling in the body, which further weakens the immune system. During very stressful times like exams, it's really important to encourage teens to slow down and take care of their body and mind Tips to Help Teens Stay Healthy and Less Stressed Here are some simple ways to help your teen stay healthy, both mentally and physically: Get Enough Sleep Most teens don't sleep enough; they often get only about 7 hours, but they need much more, especially when stressed. Aim for up to 10 hours of sleep a night during stressful times. Good sleep helps their body and mind recharge, boosts their immune system, helps them manage emotions, and improves their thinking. Help them set a sleep schedule, put away phones at least two hours before bed, keep their room dark and cool, and try relaxing activities before sleep. Find Ways to Cope Help your teen discover ways to calm down and lower stress. This could be things like walking outside in nature, making a healthy meal, writing in a journal, trying simple breathing exercises, or using a meditation app. Teens who regularly practice mindful exercises to reduce stress often feel much less stressed overall. Take Breaks from Tech Many teens spend hours every day on phones and other devices outside of school. Too much screen time can actually make stress worse, not better. Encourage your teen to "unplug" by taking breaks from their devices. Suggest setting time limits for apps and social media. Plan Ahead If your teen has a stressful event coming up, help them prepare. Suggest a study schedule with breaks, and work together to make a plan. Getting organized can really help. Encourage them to use a planner or calendar, or help them make "to-do" lists, which makes managing deadlines easier. Eat Well and Drink Water While sugary snacks and caffeine might seem helpful during study sessions, they usually do more harm than good. Keep healthy snacks like protein bars, nuts, and fruit around. Providing healthy, comforting meals can also help lower stress. And don't forget to remind them to drink plenty of water, as not drinking enough can affect their body and even make them feel more anxious. Is It Sickness or Just Stress? Stress and anxiety can cause physical symptoms that feel a lot like being sick, such as headaches, stomach aches, and muscle pain. Often, teens might "feel" sick when they are actually just anxious. It's tough to measure stress because what causes it and how much it affects someone is different for everyone. It's important to talk to your teen about how they're feeling. If they have physical symptoms, take them to a doctor to make sure they aren't actually sick with the flu or another virus. If your teen does get sick during a stressful time, help them deal with it so it doesn't add more stress. Let them know it's okay to take breaks for their health, and help them figure out how to catch up on any schoolwork. Teaching teens to take care of themselves is really important. 

teen stress is a threat to their immune system - here's what can help

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With Less than 1% Survival Chance, The Baby Born At 21 Weeks Survives, Breaks World Record

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A baby is considered fully developed and full-term at 39 weeks of gestation. A baby can be born anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks and can still be considered full-term. This period helps in baby's organ development like brain, lungs, and liver. It also reduces baby's health risks, promotes a better brain development and helps with other cognitive activities. 

However, under certain circumstances, premature babies are also born. However, when a baby is born at 24 weeks or later, the baby has chance to survival and this chance increases with each additional week of gestation. However, babies who are born before 24 weeks face a high risk of mortality and potential long-term health issues. 

A baby born before 22 weeks has a survival rate of 6%. So if a baby born in 21 weeks survives, it is no less than a miracle. 

This is the story of one such miracle that happened where a baby, who had less than 1% chance of survival is now thriving and has broken the world record. 

This is from the year 2020 when at 21 weeks, in Alabama, the most <span>premature baby</span> in the world, as per the Guinness World Records, was born.

Curtis Means and his twin sister, C'Asya Means, were born on July 5, 2020, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital. Delivered at just 21 weeks and 1 day of gestation—132 days premature—the twins faced overwhelming odds, with UAB estimating their chance of survival at less than 1%. According to Guinness World Records, they were born nearly 19 weeks early.

"Numbers show that babies born so young have little to no chances of survival," said Dr. Brian Sims, a professor of pediatrics at the UAB who was the on-call physician when the twins' mother, Michelle Butler. The doctor's statement is part of UAB's official statement. 

However, C'Asya did not respond to treatment and died the day after birth, but Curtis' heart rate and oxygen levels started to improve.

"We have never been able to bring a baby that young to the <span>neonatal intensive care unit</span>, so [Curtis] was literally the first of his kind," Sims told Guinness World Records. We were in uncharted territory." 

Curtis received constant medical care that helped him breathe. His body temperature was also regulated and other care, including enough nutrition intakes were maintained. It was in about three months, when the doctors were finally able to take him off a ventilator. 

Dr Colm Travers, an assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology said in a statement, "Curtis defied all scientific odds." Indeed he did. Age and birth weight are two of the most important factors in determining a newborn’s chances of survival, he explained. The odds are also higher if the baby is female, not part of a multiple birth, and if the mother received steroids before delivery to aid lung development—none of which applied in Curtis’s case. Yet, Curtis survived. 

At birth, Curtis weighed just 14.8 ounces (420 grams)—roughly one-seventh the weight of an average full-term newborn, according to Guinness World Records. Despite the odds, he grew stronger each day and was discharged from the hospital around nine months later, supported by medication, a feeding tube, and bottled oxygen.

After celebrating his first birthday, Curtis—affectionately nicknamed "Poodie" by his family—was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the most premature surviving baby.

Six months after his discharge, Curtis’ medical team gathered outside the University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital to surprise his mother with the Guinness World Record certificate. The previous record holder, Richard Hutchinson, had been born just a month earlier, on June 5, 2020, at 21 weeks and 2 days. 

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A baby is considered fully developed and full-term at 39 weeks of gestation. A baby can be born anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks and can still be considered full-term. This period helps in baby's organ development like brain, lungs, and liver. It also reduces baby's health risks, promotes a better brain development and helps with other cognitive activities. However, under certain circumstances, premature babies are also born. However, when a baby is born at 24 weeks or later, the baby has chance to survival and this chance increases with each additional week of gestation. However, babies who are born before 24 weeks face a high risk of mortality and potential long-term health issues. A baby born before 22 weeks has a survival rate of 6%. So if a baby born in 21 weeks survives, it is no less than a miracle. This is the story of one such miracle that happened where a baby, who had less than 1% chance of survival is now thriving and has broken the world record. "Defied All Scientific Odds"This is from the year 2020 when at 21 weeks, in Alabama, the most premature baby in the world, as per the Guinness World Records, was born.Curtis Means and his twin sister, C'Asya Means, were born on July 5, 2020, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital. Delivered at just 21 weeks and 1 day of gestation—132 days premature—the twins faced overwhelming odds, with UAB estimating their chance of survival at less than 1%. According to Guinness World Records, they were born nearly 19 weeks early."Numbers show that babies born so young have little to no chances of survival," said Dr. Brian Sims, a professor of pediatrics at the UAB who was the on-call physician when the twins' mother, Michelle Butler. The doctor's statement is part of UAB's official statement. However, C'Asya did not respond to treatment and died the day after birth, but Curtis' heart rate and oxygen levels started to improve."We have never been able to bring a baby that young to the neonatal intensive care unit, so [Curtis] was literally the first of his kind," Sims told Guinness World Records. We were in uncharted territory." Curtis received constant medical care that helped him breathe. His body temperature was also regulated and other care, including enough nutrition intakes were maintained. It was in about three months, when the doctors were finally able to take him off a ventilator. Dr Colm Travers, an assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology said in a statement, "Curtis defied all scientific odds." Indeed he did. Age and birth weight are two of the most important factors in determining a newborn’s chances of survival, he explained. The odds are also higher if the baby is female, not part of a multiple birth, and if the mother received steroids before delivery to aid lung development—none of which applied in Curtis’s case. Yet, Curtis survived. How The Baby SurvivedAt birth, Curtis weighed just 14.8 ounces (420 grams)—roughly one-seventh the weight of an average full-term newborn, according to Guinness World Records. Despite the odds, he grew stronger each day and was discharged from the hospital around nine months later, supported by medication, a feeding tube, and bottled oxygen.After celebrating his first birthday, Curtis—affectionately nicknamed "Poodie" by his family—was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the most premature surviving baby.Six months after his discharge, Curtis’ medical team gathered outside the University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital to surprise his mother with the Guinness World Record certificate. The previous record holder, Richard Hutchinson, had been born just a month earlier, on June 5, 2020, at 21 weeks and 2 days. 

with less than 1% survival chance, the baby born at 21 weeks survives, breaks world record

Expecting? Here's What The New Gestational Diabetes Testing Rules Mean For You

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In a significant update to <span>maternal health</span> care, Australia is introducing new national guidelines on how pregnant women are tested for <span>gestational diabetes</span>. 

The changes, released by the <em>Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society</em> and published in the M<em>edical Journal of Australia</em>, mark the first major update to gestational diabetes screening in over a decade. These revised guidelines are expected to impact more than 280,000 pregnant women annually, streamlining care, reducing overdiagnosis, and focusing medical resources where they are most needed.

<h4>What Is Gestational Diabetes and Why Is Testing Important?</h4>

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a temporary form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It’s defined by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that are first detected while a woman is pregnant. In Australia, GDM affects nearly one in five pregnancies and has short- and long-term health implications for both mother and baby.

Though GDM usually resolves after delivery, women who develop it are seven times more likely to later develop type 2 diabetes. Identifying and managing GDM is essential because untreated cases increase the risk of:

Macrosomia (a baby born significantly larger than average), which can lead to birth complications and higher rates of caesarean sections

Pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition involving high blood pressure and potential organ damage

Premature birth and other serious outcomes

Moreover, the screening process offers a gateway for introducing long-term health interventions like dietary advice, physical activity plans, and future diabetes prevention programs.

<h4>Why Are the Guidelines Changing?</h4>

While GDM screening and treatment are beneficial for many women, a one-size-fits-all approach has downsides. The new guidelines aim to balance the benefits of early detection with the potential harms of overdiagnosis. Studies and patient feedback have highlighted several concerns with the current system:

Women report stress, shame, and stigma after diagnosis

Limited access to specialist care and nutrition support

Some women adopt overly restrictive diets without professional guidance

Others are forced to change their maternity care provider or place of delivery due to a high-risk classification

The aim is to reduce unnecessary interventions for women at low risk, while enhancing care for those who truly need it.

The revised recommendations result from a broad review of current research and expert input from medical professionals and consumers. Here are the key updates:

<h5>Universal Screening Remains – But With Adjustments</h5>

All pregnant women without a prior diabetes diagnosis will still undergo routine screening between 24 and 28 weeks using the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). This test involves:

<ul><li>Fasting overnight</li><li>A baseline blood test</li><li>Drinking a sugary solution</li><li>Two follow-up blood tests over two hours</li></ul>

However, fewer women will undergo multiple OGTTs during pregnancy. Early testing will be more targeted based on risk.

<h5>Early Testing for High-Risk Women</h5>

Women with risk factors will be screened earlier in pregnancy, ideally between 10 and 14 weeks. The approach includes:

An HbA1c test (a non-fasting blood test that gives an average of blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months) in the first trimester for women with risk factors such as:

<ul><li>High body mass index (BMI)</li><li>Previous large baby</li><li>History of gestational diabetes</li></ul>

If results show high HbA1c or there’s a history of GDM, women may undergo an OGTT early in pregnancy.

The cut-off values for diagnosing GDM using the OGTT have been adjusted upward. This means only women with more clearly elevated glucose levels will be diagnosed. The goal is to avoid labeling borderline cases as diabetic when the risks and outcomes are minimal.

<h4>What Do These Changes Mean for Women?</h4>

The updated guidelines aim to make gestational diabetes care more precise and patient-centered:

<ul><li>Fewer unnecessary diagnoses for women with mild or borderline glucose levels</li><li>Improved access to services for those at higher risk</li><li>Reduced stress and confusion from unclear diagnosis or overtreatment</li><li>Stronger support systems for managing diet and physical activity safely</li></ul>

Importantly, women are encouraged to maintain open communication with their health care providers, especially if they have risk factors or symptoms like fatigue, excessive thirst, or frequent urination during pregnancy.

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gestational diabetes

diabetic mothers

In a significant update to maternal health care, Australia is introducing new national guidelines on how pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes. The changes, released by the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and published in the Medical Journal of Australia, mark the first major update to gestational diabetes screening in over a decade. These revised guidelines are expected to impact more than 280,000 pregnant women annually, streamlining care, reducing overdiagnosis, and focusing medical resources where they are most needed.What Is Gestational Diabetes and Why Is Testing Important?Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a temporary form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It’s defined by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that are first detected while a woman is pregnant. In Australia, GDM affects nearly one in five pregnancies and has short- and long-term health implications for both mother and baby.Though GDM usually resolves after delivery, women who develop it are seven times more likely to later develop type 2 diabetes. Identifying and managing GDM is essential because untreated cases increase the risk of:Macrosomia (a baby born significantly larger than average), which can lead to birth complications and higher rates of caesarean sectionsPre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition involving high blood pressure and potential organ damagePremature birth and other serious outcomesMoreover, the screening process offers a gateway for introducing long-term health interventions like dietary advice, physical activity plans, and future diabetes prevention programs.Why Are the Guidelines Changing?While GDM screening and treatment are beneficial for many women, a one-size-fits-all approach has downsides. The new guidelines aim to balance the benefits of early detection with the potential harms of overdiagnosis. Studies and patient feedback have highlighted several concerns with the current system:Women report stress, shame, and stigma after diagnosisLimited access to specialist care and nutrition supportSome women adopt overly restrictive diets without professional guidanceOthers are forced to change their maternity care provider or place of delivery due to a high-risk classificationThe aim is to reduce unnecessary interventions for women at low risk, while enhancing care for those who truly need it.What Exactly Is Changing?The revised recommendations result from a broad review of current research and expert input from medical professionals and consumers. Here are the key updates:Universal Screening Remains – But With AdjustmentsAll pregnant women without a prior diabetes diagnosis will still undergo routine screening between 24 and 28 weeks using the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). This test involves:Fasting overnightA baseline blood testDrinking a sugary solutionTwo follow-up blood tests over two hoursHowever, fewer women will undergo multiple OGTTs during pregnancy. Early testing will be more targeted based on risk.Early Testing for High-Risk WomenWomen with risk factors will be screened earlier in pregnancy, ideally between 10 and 14 weeks. The approach includes:An HbA1c test (a non-fasting blood test that gives an average of blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months) in the first trimester for women with risk factors such as:High body mass index (BMI)Previous large babyHistory of gestational diabetesIf results show high HbA1c or there’s a history of GDM, women may undergo an OGTT early in pregnancy.Stricter Diagnostic ThresholdsThe cut-off values for diagnosing GDM using the OGTT have been adjusted upward. This means only women with more clearly elevated glucose levels will be diagnosed. The goal is to avoid labeling borderline cases as diabetic when the risks and outcomes are minimal.What Do These Changes Mean for Women?The updated guidelines aim to make gestational diabetes care more precise and patient-centered:Fewer unnecessary diagnoses for women with mild or borderline glucose levelsImproved access to services for those at higher riskReduced stress and confusion from unclear diagnosis or overtreatmentStronger support systems for managing diet and physical activity safelyImportantly, women are encouraged to maintain open communication with their health care providers, especially if they have risk factors or symptoms like fatigue, excessive thirst, or frequent urination during pregnancy.

expecting? here's what the new gestational diabetes testing rules mean for you

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