BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus, defined as
diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy that is not clearly
overt diabetes, is becoming more common as the epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes continues. Newly
proposed diagnostic criteria will, if adopted universally, further increase the prevalence of this condition.
Much controversy surrounds the diagnosis and management of gestational diabetes.
CONTENT: This review provides information regarding
various approaches to the diagnosis of gestational diabetes and the recommendations of a number of professional organizations. The implications of gestational
diabetes for both the mother and the offspring are described. Approaches to self-monitoring of blood glucose concentrations and treatment with diet, oral
medications, and insulin injections are covered. Management of glucose metabolism during labor and the
postpartum period are discussed, and an approach to
determining the timing of delivery and the mode of
delivery is outlined.
SUMMARY: This review provides an overview of current
controversies as well as current recommendations for
gestational diabetes care.
© 2013 American Association for Clinical Chemistry
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)3 is defined as diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy that is not clearly
overt diabetes (1). This condition is associated with
adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal macrosomia, stillbirth, neonatal metabolic disturbances, and
related problems (2). Offspring of mothers with GDM