[Gestational diabetes mellitus]

Any degree of carbohydrate intolerance which develops for the first time during pregnancy is defined as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GDM is often discovered late, in more than half the cases only during complications associated with pregnancy. Early diagnosis of GDM and early correct therapy of GDM leads to reduction of complications associated with pregnancy, delivery and the perinatal period of the infant. As in our country unequivocal rules for detection of gestational diabetes are still lacking. We feel that introduction of correct routine screening will contribute to the earlier diagnosis of GDM in all women and thus also to appropriate therapy of gestational diabetes.