Gestational diabetes: causes and consequences

Abstract

Diabetes during pregnancy carries important implications for mother and child. Recent evidence has clarified the relationship of maternal glycaemia to neonatal outcomes and demonstrated that appropriate detection and treatment can improve outcomes. This review examines normal physiological changes of glucose metabolism in pregnancy and the association of gestational diabetes with complications both at time of delivery (macrosomia, hypoglycaemia, jaundice, polycythaemia, respiratory distress syndrome, and hypocalcaemia) and later disease associations for both mother and child. Finally recent evidence that at least some of these adverse effects can be reduced is examined. © 2009 SAGE Publications Los Angeles, London, New Delhi and Singapore.