Journal of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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VOLUME 10 , ISSUE 1 ( January-March, 2018 ) > List of Articles

REVIEW ARTICLE

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Challenges in Diagnosis and Management

Shaheen Hokabaj, Himani Goel

Keywords : Gestational diabetes mellitus, Glucose intolerance, Insulin, Medical nutritional therapy, Oral hypoglycemic agents

Citation Information : Hokabaj S, Goel H. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Challenges in Diagnosis and Management. J South Asian Feder Obs Gynae 2018; 10 (1):54-60.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10006-1558

Published Online: 01-12-2018

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2018; The Author(s).


Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care and ongoing patient self-management education and support to prevent acute complications and to reduce the long-term complications. Moderate-to-severe maternal hyperglycemia in pregnancy has unique diabetes-related risks to mother and her unborn baby. So, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a carbohydrate intolerance that has been diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. Approximately, 7% of pregnancies are affected by GDM. Patients with GDM are at higher risk for excessive weight gain, preeclampsia, and cesarean sections. Infants born to mothers with GDM are at higher risk for macrosomia, birth trauma, and shoulder dystocia. After delivery, these infants have a higher risk of developing hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperbilirubinemia, respiratory distress syndrome, polycythemia and subsequent obesity, and type II diabetes. The management of GDM is very important, and its management remains a challenge for obstetricians and endocrinologists. Medical nutritional therapy (MNT) is the initial and most common therapy that suffices for GDM. Pharmacological therapy becomes necessary, and the treatment of choice is human insulin. Oral hypoglycemic agents have also reached the high tables in the management of GDM. Glyburide and metformin have been found to be safe, effective, and economical for the treatment of gestational diabetes.


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