Screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes

This chapter discusses the evidence for the existence of an entity called 'gestational diabetes', suggesting that it can be understood in terms of risk to the pregnancy and/or risk to the mother. Various diagnostic criteria used in various parts of the world are described, and a rationale for using pregnancy-specific criteria is put forth. Universal screening approaches are also characterized. Barriers to the universal adoption of a single screening scheme and set of diagnostic criteria are outlined.