Research conducted by Seoul National University’s Department of Preventive Medicine and the Institute of Health and Environment has uncovered a correlation between gestational diabetes and nocturnal noise levels. (Image: Seoul National University Hospital)
SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – Research conducted by Seoul National University’s Department of Preventive Medicine and the Institute of Health and Environment has uncovered a correlation between gestational diabetes and nocturnal noise levels.
The subjects of the study were 18,165 pregnant women between the ages of 20 and 49. From 2002 to 2013, the study’s results showed an increase of 1db in nocturnal noise boosted the occurrence of gestational diabetes by 7 percent.
The women were examined during the first three months of pregnancy to measure exposure to daytime and nocturnal noise levels. For the latter, the women were divided into four groups depending on their level of exposure.
The research showed that the group with the highest level of exposure had 1.8 times more women with gestational diabetes.
In comparison, daytime noise levels were not found to have any correlation with the disease.
The subjects of the study were 18,165 pregnant women between the ages of 20 and 49. From 2002 to 2013, the results showed an increase of 1db in nocturnal noise boosted the occurrence of gestational diabetes by 7 percent. (Image: Yonhap)
The research team theorized that the difference between day and night noise exposure was due to the increase in time spent at home during the latter part of the day.
Though it is possible for women to be cured of gestational diabetes after childbirth, the likelihood of recurrence is high. Furthermore, the child of a woman with gestational diabetes is more likely to become diabetic as well.
Factors such as family history, age, obesity, lack of exercise and smoking have been suggested as causes of the disease. Exposure to heavy metals and air pollution are also considered to be harmful influences.
Professor Min Kyung Bok of the Department of Preventive Medicine said, “This is the first time that research on gestational diabetes, noise levels and the rate of disease outbreak has been conducted. We were able to find proof that environmental factors such as noise levels have a big impact on healthy pregnancies and births.”
Additional details are available in the latest edition of the journal Environmental Research Letters.
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
