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Pregnancy and diabetes scenario around the world: Africa
Author(s) -
Coetzee Edward J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.11.027
Subject(s) - medicine , glibenclamide , diabetes mellitus , pregnancy , gestational diabetes , metformin , type 2 diabetes , offspring , disease , insulin , burden of disease , intensive care medicine , gestation , endocrinology , genetics , biology
The problem of screening and treating diabetes in pregnancy in a resource‐poor country is explored. Although the burden of disease is high, diabetes contributes to higher perinatal mortality and morbidity and ultimately can lead to metabolic diseases when the offspring reaches adulthood. The mother is also more likely to develop full blown diabetes in later life with resulting diabetic morbidity and even mortality. Cheaper options for screening, including task shifting, are essential. In type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes there are cheaper alternatives to insulin for treatment, such as diet, exercise, and oral glucose lowering agents such as metformin and glibenclamide.