FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS IN NORMAL VERSUS STRESSED PREGNANT TEENAGERS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Adolescent pregnancy, psychological stress, fasting blood glucose
Abstract
Background: Teenage pregnancy is a major public health issue and carries an increased risk in the development of metabolic complications. There is little data for the effect of psychological stress on glucose metabolism in this high-risk group.
Objective: To assess the relationship between psychological stress and fasting blood sugar levels in pregnant teenagers.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study performed from June 2023 to May 2024. A total of 263 pregnant adolescents ((13-19 year) ANC attendees at Gynecology and Obstetrics OPDs in the selected healthcare facilities of Hyderabad and Jamshoro. The subjects were divided into the normal stress group (n=101) and stressed group (n=162). Fasting blood glucose was categorized as normal (≤95 mg/dL) or high risk (>95 mg/dL). Chi-square test was used at p < 0.05 level.
Results: Higher proportion of elevated fasting glucose was observed in the stressed (72.85 %) versus normal stress group (30.70 %). The chi-square test was χ² = 43.30 (p < 0.0001). Pregnant adolescents who were under stress showed higher odds of gestational elevated glucose (OR = 6.05 95% CI: 3.506–10.46).
Conclusion: Psychological stress is closely linked with glucose dysregulation among pregnant adolescents. Incorporating stress evaluation and interventions for stress reduction into prenatal care of adolescents may lead to improved metabolic health and prevent gestational metabolic sequelae.
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Rozina Saeed
PhD Scholar, Department of Physiology, University of Sindh Jamshoro
Jamshed Warsi
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, University of Sindh Jamshoro
Rubina Amjad
Assistant Professor, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mekran Medical College Turbat.
Badar Jahan
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College Lyari, Karachi.
Shabeer Ahmed
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Mekran Medical College, Turbat
Noman Sadiq
Professor, Department of Physiology Mekran Medical College, Turbat.
