The influence of gestational diabetes on fetal development. A review

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that starts during pregnancy and although is an affection which may regress after birth, it leaves its mark on the health of the mother and fetus in the perinatal period, but also on long-term and appropriate treatment initiated at the onset of the disease can reduce its effects. It is defined as carbohydrate intolerance of varying degrees of severity, occurring during pregnancy and that can complicate it (i.e. by increasing the risk of preeclamplsia, polyhydramnios, macrosomia, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia and hyperbilirubinemia and neonatal injury at birth). Although the diagnostic criteria varies from one guideline to another, the oral glucose tolerance test remains the gold standard method for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Underlying this article we have found significant studies and guidelines  related to gestational diabetes published in PubMed and Cochrane databases. Gestational diabetes may be associated with repeated miscarriages, still births, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, premature detachment of the normally inserted placenta, trauma at birth, postpartum bleeding and infection immediately postpartum. Increased risk of maternal complications also increases the risk of premature births. The only modifiable factor in the emergence of all these complications is obesity. Gestational diabetes is a pathology that requires a multidisciplinary team and close monitoring of perinatal complications of pregnancy, in order to prevent and reduce these complications, both on short and long term.