Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Update and Review of Literature

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus has been associated with various maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes. Screening and subsequent treatment are associated with short term benefit. With the recent recommended diagnostic criteria by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups and increasing rate of obesity, the prevalence will continue to rise. It remains uncertain whether this new diagnostic criteria is cost effective or beneficial. Interventions include lifestyle modification, oral hypoglycaemic agents and insulin. The encouraging result and safety profile with oral hypoglycaemic agents may provide a safe alterative to insulin in patients who fail lifestyle modification.