Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Neonatal Outcomes at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, North Central Nigeria

Gestational diabetes mellitus is increasingly prevalent in Nigerian urban populations due to changing dietary patterns, rising obesity rates, and low screening uptake, with significant implications for maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study examines the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and its associated neonatal outcomes among women delivering at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. A cross-sectional design is applied to 320 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation, selected through systematic sampling. All participants undergo the 75g oral glucose tolerance test using WHO criteria for gestational diabetes diagnosis. Structured questionnaires capture pre-pregnancy body mass index, family history of diabetes, multiparity, and previous macrosomic deliveries. Neonatal outcomes recorded include birth weight, hypoglycaemia, respiratory distress, and neonatal intensive care admission. SPSS is used for analysis, with logistic regression identifying risk factors. Available literature from Nigerian tertiary centres identifies a gestational diabetes prevalence of 5 to 12 percent, with macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycaemia as the most common adverse neonatal outcomes. The WHO 2013 IADPSG criteria provide the diagnostic standard. Findings will support the antenatal clinic in introducing universal gestational diabetes screening and management protocols. Keywords: gestational diabetes mellitus, neonatal outcomes, antenatal care, Abuja, North Central Nigeria.