Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a common complication during pregnancy. Regardless of the time of the diagnosis, GDM has been defined as a key degree of glucose intolerance during pregnancy [1]. Recently, the American Diabetes Association (American Diabetes Association, ADA) clearly defined GDM as diabetes diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy [2]. Obesity increases in young women, and the age of women’s gestation also increases. The prevalence of GDM has also increased. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus was 8.0% based on the Korea National Health Insurance Claims Database [3]. Gestational diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with gestational hypertension, increased frequency of cesarean section, complications such as impaired delivery, and dysesthesia. In addition, the probability of overt diabetes developing after delivery increases by seven fold compared to non-GDM patients [4]. For the offspring, the risk of large for gestational age (LGA), neonatal hypoglycemia, neonatal bone and nerve injuries are increased. In the long term, there is a higher risk of diabetes to occur in adolescence [5]. In view of increasing prevalence of GDM worldwide and its established association with adverse fetal, neonatal and their long term complications, we have to look into possible interventions for preventing and managing GDM.