What to Know About Gestational Diabetes: A Brief Overview
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What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It typically appears by 24–28 weeks of gestation in people who did not have diabetes before [1,2].
Of all metabolic disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes is the most common [2]. It is characterized by high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) due to inefficient synthesis or use of insulin, a hormone that regulates glucose (sugar) levels.
Hyperglycemia affects one in six people during pregnancy [3]. Of those affected, 21 in 25 cases result from gestational diabetes, and four in 25 cases result from type 1 or type 2 diabetes [3]. (People with pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes have “diabetes in pregnancy” rather than gestational diabetes.)
Gestational diabetes affects about one in seven people during pregnancy worldwide, though this number varies by region [4].
Depending on your symptoms and test results, your health care provider may initially recommend controlling your glucose levels with dietary changes and exercise [5].
Download Maila Maternity for iOS to learn more about gestational diabetes, track your symptoms, record your blood glucose, and find support groups.
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#GestationalDiabetes #PregnancyComplications #Pregnancy #MaternalHealth #MailaHealth
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References:
1. Kautzky-Willer A, Bancher-Todesca D, Birnbacher R. Gestationsdiabetes (GDM). Acta Medica Austraica. 2004;31: 182–184.
2. Chiefari E, Arcidiacono B, Foti D, Brunetti A. Gestational diabetes mellitus: an updated overview. J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40: 899–909.
3. Hod M, Kapur A, Sacks DA, Hadar E, Agarwal M, Di Renzo GC, et al. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Initiative on gestational diabetes mellitus: A pragmatic guide for diagnosis, management, and care. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2015;131 Suppl 3: S173–211.
4. Wang H, Li N, Chivese T, Werfalli M, Sun H, Yuen L, et al. IDF Diabetes Atlas: Estimation of Global and Regional Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevalence for 2021 by International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group’s Criteria. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2022;183: 109050.
5. Lapolla A, Dalfrà MG, Fedele D. Management of gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2009;2: 73–82.
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Written by: Sabrina Schaly
Edited by: Samantha Lattof, PhD MSc
Medically reviewed by: Ayodeji Olelakan Abere, MD MBA MHA
Produced by: xhashank
Music and select images from: Canva
Narration by: Ava/Wellsaid