Management of gestational diabetes mellitus
Article Abstract:
The best way to care for women with gestational diabetes mellitus has not yet been defined. Gestational diabetes mellitus is the inability to adequately process glucose during pregnancy. Among groups of people with poor glucose tolerance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes carries a risk of health problems in the infant and mother. Pregnant women in these populations should receive glucose tests early in pregnancy. Basing diagnostic requirements for gestational diabetes on pregnancy outcome is desirable but problematic because various factors influence pregnancy outcome. Gestational diabetes often leads to overgrowth of the fetus due to the overproduction of insulin by the fetal pancreas. A 1995 study showed that regulating insulin therapy in mothers based on blood glucose levels after, rather than before, meals leads to lower birth weights and lower incidence of hypoglycemia in the infant. These results seem applicable to women with high levels of glucose intolerance, but may not be applicable to women with milder glucose intolerance.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1995
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Gestational diabetes mellitus
Article Abstract:
Gestational diabetes is a type of mild diabetes that first occurs during pregnancy. It can cause problems for the baby, so it is important to treat it. However, aggressive treatment may not be necessary for most women. Babies of pregnant women with gestational diabetes may be very large at birth, have low blood sugar levels, jaundice, respiratory distress syndrome and other problems. The mother may also develop hypertension and preeclampsia during pregnancy. The care and treatment of pregnant women with gestational diabetes is discussed.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1999
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