UNILAG Professor Advocates Universal Screening for Gestational Diabetes in Pregnant Women

Professor Omololu Adegbola, a renowned Obstetrics and Gynecology expert at the University of Lagos, emphasized the importance of universal screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) among pregnant women during his twelfth Inaugural Lecture.

Apr 1, 2024 - 16:57

UNILAG Professor Advocates Universal Screening for Gestational Diabetes in Pregnant Women

A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Lagos, Professor Omololu Adegbola, has urged for the universal screening of all pregnant women for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy.

This call to action was made during Professor Adegbola’s twelfth Inaugural Lecture for the 2023/2024 Academic Session, held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the J.F. Ade Ajayi (Main) Auditorium of UNILAG, Akoka. Titled "The Travails of Motherhood: Medical Complications in Pregnancy, a Determinant of Maternal and Fetal Future Health," the lecture emphasized the critical need for optimal care before, during, and after pregnancy to ensure positive pregnancy outcomes.

Professor Adegbola highlighted the significance of the periconceptional period, stressing its role in determining the health outcomes of both the mother and the fetus. He underscored the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy to mitigate risks such as Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) and Intrauterine Fetal Growth Restriction (IUGR), which can lead to adverse effects on the child's future health.

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Furthermore, the inaugural lecturer advocated for improved medical care in tertiary hospitals across Nigeria and called for increased awareness about pre-pregnancy clinics to ensure women enter pregnancy in optimal health. He emphasized the importance of early and regular attendance at antenatal sessions to prevent and detect complications that could jeopardize pregnancy outcomes.

Professor Omololu Adegbola, born on January 7, 1969, has been a faculty member at the University of Lagos since March 2005, progressively rising to the rank of Full Professor in October 2020. He is actively involved in postgraduate medical education, serving as a Postgraduate Examiner at the National Postgraduate Medical College Nigeria and supervising numerous research projects leading to clinical fellowships.

Professor Adegbola's advocacy for universal screening of GDM in pregnant women reflects UNILAG's commitment to advancing maternal and child health care through evidence-based research and education.

For further inquiries or information regarding Professor Adegbola's research and recommendations, interested parties are encouraged to contact the University's Communication Unit.