Synopsis

Gestational diabetes is a common pregnancy complication. Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery, and following pregnancy both mothers and their children are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. It is therefore important to identify risk factors. Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes have many risk factors in common. Earlier age at first menstruation has been associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, but the association with gestational diabetes remains unclear. We therefore aimed to examine whether age at first menstruation is associated with risk of gestational diabetes in young Australian women.