Gestational diabetes

Alternative names:

glucose intolerance of pregnancy

Definition:

A carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity that begins or is first recognized during pregnancy.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Gestational diabetes is a disorder that begins or is first recognized during pregnancy. It usually becomes apparent in the 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy. It is recommended that all pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes within this time frame. In many cases, the blood glucose level returns to normal after delivery. The symptoms are usually mild and not life-threatening to the pregnant woman. However, the increased maternal glucose levels are associated with an increased rate of perinatal complications, including birth trauma, hypoglycemia, and jaundice. Rarely, late intrauterine fetal death occurs. Maintaining control of blood glucose levels significantly reduces the risk to the offspring. The risk factors for gestational diabetes are: maternal age of more than 25; a family history of diabetes; obesity; a previous delivery of an infant with a birth weight over nine pounds; an unexplained death of a previous infant or newborn; a congenital malformation in a previous child; and recurrent infections.