Diagnosis and management of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes affects 3 to 6 percent of all pregnancies. Proper screening, diagnosis and management of this condition can reduce both maternal and neonatal morbidity. Family physicians can readily manage most patients with gestational diabetes by prescribing an appropriate diet, encouraging regular exercise and providing careful follow-up with regular glucose monitoring for the remainder of the pregnancy. Up to 90 percent of these patients do not need more intensive therapy. Since patients with gestational diabetes are at high risk for developing type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus later in life, they should be counseled and tested during the postpartum period and encouraged to lose weight (if necessary) and follow a diet to minimize the development of glucose intolerance.