Update in management of gestational diabetes mellitus

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk for adverse outcome during pregnancy and the development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome after pregnancy. Offspring of women with GDM are at increased risk of obesity, glucose intolerance, and diabetes in late adolescence and young adulthood. For preventing complication, patients diagnosed with GDM should monitor their blood glucose level, physical activity, and undergo nutritional counseling for the purpose of maintaining normoglycemia, but not meeting glycemic goals with dietary changes alone should begin insulin therapy. After delivery, patients with prior gestational diabetes mellitus, especially history of obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin treatment during pregnancy, should be tested for diabetes annually. Offspring of women with GDM should be followed closely for the developing of obesity and impaired glucose tolerance.