Continuing Challenges in The Medical Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

The management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) involves screening (or universal testing), a diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test, patient counselling/education, gestational weight management and medical nutrition therapy, and self-monitoring of blood glucose levels with regular glycaemia reviews. This is in addition to pharmacological treatment, often insulin therapy, if glycaemia is above target. Females with GDM receive more frequent ultrasound testing to assess fetal growth, and birth is planned and not usually allowed to go much past term. A range of challenges continue to arise in GDM management including screening approaches and diagnostic criteria, dealing with the increasing numbers of females diagnosed, weight and glycaemic targets, the long-term safety of oral antihyperglycaemic agents for the offspring, particularly metformin, and adjunct medication for complication prevention. GDM management involves additional complexities including differentiating between those with likely undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes in pregnancy), how to manage females with high glucose early in pregnancy less than diabetes in pregnancy, and identifying females with rare causes, for example monogenic diabetes or new Type 1 diabetes mellitus in pregnancy. While the management of GDM has evolved from identifying females at high risk of progressing to Type 2 diabetes mellitus, to greater focus on improving pregnancy outcomes, females with prior GDM and their offspring have the highest need for follow-up and prevention strategies. To date, follow-up and intervention remains limited for this high-risk group for both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Follow-up in these females is particularly important for the next pregnancy, especially as GDM prevention from the second trimester onwards remains another continuing challenge.