Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance
of variable degreewith onset or first recognition during pregnancy
[1]. GDM has been reported to affect 5%–10% of pregnant women, and
its worldwide prevalence is continually increasing [1–3].
The association between GDM and adverse pregnancy outcomes such
as fetalmacrosomia, shoulder dystocia, cesarean delivery, and pregnancyinduced
hypertension has beenwell described [1,4]. Although glucose tolerance
returns to normal during the postpartum period for most women
with GDM, between 3% and 24% develop overt diabetes mellitus in the
first year after childbirth [5–7]. Moreover, a long-term follow-up study
[8] indicated that up to 50% of women with GDM developed overt diabetes
within 20 years of childbirth. These long-term outcomes provide the
basis for the routine recommendation of postpartum evaluation
6–12 weeks after delivery among pregnant women with GDM.