What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance that begins or is first detected during pregnancy.
The detection of gestational diabetes is important because of its associated maternal and fetal complications. According to the ADA guidelines, patients should be screened for risk factors for gestational diabetes during pregnancy at their initial visit.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops because pregnancy increases requirements for insulin secretion while increasing insulin resistance, upping demands on pancreatic β-cells. A woman is considered high risk if she has one or more of the following: marked Obesity, personal history of gestational diabetes, glucose intolerance or glycosuria, or a strong family history of type 2 diabetes, age > 25 years, multiparity, and previous macrosomic or large for-gestational-age infants (> 9 lb or 4 kg)

All women should be screened for gestational diabetes during pregnancy at 24 – 28 weeks of gestation following standard guidelines.