[Management of gestational diabetes]

Abstract

Pregnancy is associated with relative carbohydrate intolerance and insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is recognized as a risk factor for a number of adverse outcomes during pregnancy, including excessive fetal growth, increased incidence of birth trauma and neonatal metabolic abnormalities. This recognition has led to recommendations to screen all pregnant women for GDM and to treat those whose glucose tolerance tests exceed threshold criteria. Numerous epidemiological studies show that GDM affects between 1 and 25% of pregnancies, depending on the ethnicity of the population studied and the diagnostic criteria. Intervention to change lifestyle and, if maternal hyperglycemia persists, treatment with additional oral medication or insulin injections have shown to improve perinatal outcomes. Patients with GDM have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the years after delivery and these women are encouraged to practice specific health behaviours (dietary habits, physical activity) during the postpartum period. The present article discusses the management of GDM in the light of data from the latest studies and international recommendations.