Therapeutic management of gestational diabetes

Abstract

Background: Maternal and perinatal complications linked to gestational diabetes mellitus could be decreased with an intensive management approach.

Aim: To assess the effect of various treatments, glycaemic targets and procedures for self-monitoring of blood glucose on the foetal and maternal prognosis.

Methods: Systematic review of literature studying the efficacy of the treatment of gestational diabetes in order to decrease maternal-foetal morbidity-mortality. Analysis based on bibliographic search in PubMed using the following keywords: “therapeutic”, “treatment” and “gestational diabetes”.

Results: Specific treatment of gestational diabetes (dietary, adapted physical activity, self-monitoring of blood glucose, insulin-therapy if appropriate) reduces severe perinatal complications (composite criterion), foetal macrosomia and preeclampsia compared to the absence of therapy, with however an increase in the number of labour inductions, and without any increase in the number of caesarean sections. Regarding oral antidiabetic agents (glibenclamide or metformin), despite the absence of difference found on foetal or maternal prognosis compared to insulin, they should not be prescribed during pregnancy at this time.

Conclusion: The treatment of “severe or moderate” gestational diabetes is recommended. Additional studies, in particular long-term studies in children, are warranted before oral antidiabetic agents can be used.