NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – New research indicates that the rates of cesarean deliveries, gestational diabetes, and other pregnancy-related outcomes differ among Asian, Caucasian, and interracial Asian-Caucasian couples.

“Our study demonstrates that interracial Asian-Caucasian couples represent a population with distinct perinatal risks, with differing risks depending upon which parent is of Asian race,” the researchers state in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The findings are based on a study of 868 Asian-Caucasian couples, 3226 Asian couples, and 5575 Caucasian couples who delivered at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Stanford, California, from 2000 to 2005.
Compared to Caucasian couples, Asian-Caucasian couples were 2.4- and 2.6-times more likely to be affected by gestational diabetes, depending on whether the mother was Caucasian or Asian, Dr. Michael J. Nystrom, from Stanford University Medical Center, and colleagues found.

The risk in Asian couples, however, was even higher at 4.7-times higher than in Caucasian couple,

The results also indicate that Caucasian couples had larger babies than the other groups. The average birthweight in Caucasian couples was 3400 grams, compared with the next highest weight, 3360 grams, which was seen in Asian-mother/Caucasian-father couples.

Compared with Asian couples, Asian-mother/Caucasian-father couples were the only ones to have an increased rate of cesarean delivery.

“Further research into interracial couples may she light onto the effects of genetics vs environment on perinatal outcomes,” the team concludes.

There are 20.8 million Americans with diabetes – and nearly one-third of them (or 6.2 million people) don’t know it! Take this test to see if you are at risk for having diabetes. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. If you are a member of one of these ethnic groups, you need to pay special attention to this test.

To find out if you are at risk, write in the points next to each statement that is true for you. If a statement is not true, write a zero. Then add all the points to get your total score.

Scoring 3-9 points
You are probably at low risk for having diabetes now. But don’t just forget about it — especially if you are Hispanic/Latino, African American, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander. You may be at higher risk in the future.

Scoring 10 or more points
You are at greater risk for having diabetes. Only your health care provider can determine if you have diabetes. At your next office visit, find out for sure.

At-Risk Weight Chart Body Mass Index     Height in feet and inches without shoes Weight in pounds without clothing 4′10″ 129 4′11″ 133 5′0″ 138 5′1″ 143 5′2″ 147 5′3″ 152 5′4″ 157 5′5″ 162 5′6″ 167 5′7″ 172 5′8″ 177 5′9″ 182 5′10″ 188 5′11″ 193 6′0″ 199 6′1″ 204 6′2″ 210 6′3″ 216 6′4″ 221 If you weigh the same or more than the amount listed for your height, you may be at risk for diabetes.

Diabetes Facts You Should Know

Diabetes is a serious disease that can lead to blindness, heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, and amputations. It kills almost 210,000 people each year.

Some people with diabetes exhibit symptoms, some do not. If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor:

· Extreme thirst

· Frequent urination

· Unexplained weight loss