Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes that develops for the first time during pregnancy, usually after the 20th week, when hormonal changes cause insulin resistance and blood glucose levels rise. It affects women who did not have diabetes before conception and is typically diagnosed between 24 and 28 weeks via an oral glucose challenge or tolerance test.

Causes and risk factors

Pregnancy?related hormones from the placenta reduce insulin sensitivity, and if the pancreas cannot compensate with enough extra insulin, hyperglycemia develops. Common risk factors include obesity, advanced maternal age, family history of diabetes, previous GDM, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Impact on mother and baby

If untreated, GDM increases risks of macrosomia (large?for?gestational?age baby), birth injuries, preterm delivery, neonatal hypoglycemia, and jaundice. Mothers face higher chances of preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and later progression to type 2 diabetes.