Low energy diets in the treatment of gestational diabetes

A randomised prospective study of treatment with dietary restriction alone or insulin therapy with dietary advice was performed in 15 women with glucose intolerance diagnosed early in the third trimester of pregnancy. Twenty-four hour profiles of plasma glucose and 3-hydroxybutyrate were performed before and four weeks after commencing treatment. The effect on neonatal outcome was assessed. The case history of one of the patients in the study was sent to British physicians with a special interest in diabetes to obtain their opinion about the appropriate initial treatment of women with gestational diabetes.