Gestational diabetes mellitus or what we commonly known asgestational diabetes is a state where individuals without previously diagnosed diabetes

display high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. This increase in blood glucose levels is exhibited during the second trimester of pregnancy. During pregnancy, instances happen where women do not produce adequate insulin required during this stage. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes can have some complications after birth. Usually, babies are large for gestational age (weigh much more than normal) that can cause delivery difficulties, problems and complications; have low blood sugar level, exhibits jaundice, or your baby may. Even if gestational diabetes goes away after the child is born complications during perinatal stage may and can be very serious. Treatment of gestational diabetes is essential to not further aggravate the complications. Types The two types of gestational diabetes are:

3. 4. 5.

Have insulin therapy as indicated and as ordered to control increased blood sugar level. Eat well-balanced meals, controlled as prescribed by the physician or nutritionist. Gestational diabetes goes away after the babys birth, however it increases the risk for diabetes onto the next pregnancy, it is essential therefore that the management listed above should be followed.

Type A1

Reveals altered finding during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), but with normal blood glucose levels with fasting and after two hours with meals.

With this stage of gestational diabetes, diet modification is enough to manage the increased glucose levels.

Type A2

CASE Gestational diabetes mellitus or what we commonly known as gestational diabetes is a state where in individuals without previously diagnosed diabetes display high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. This increase in blood glucose levels is exhibited during the second trimester of pregnancy. During pregnancy, instances happen where women do not produce adequate insulin required during this stage. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes can have some complications after birth. Usually, babies are large for gestational age (weigh much more than normal) that can cause delivery difficulties, problems and complications; have low blood sugar level, exhibits jaundice, or your baby may. Even if gestational diabetes goes away after the child is born complications during perinatal stage may and can be very serious. Treatment of gestational diabetes is essential to not further aggravate the complications. Most women with GDM have no recognizable symptoms. However, leaving GDM undiagnosed and untreated is dangerous to the developing fetus. Left untreated, a woman with diabetes will have consistently high blood sugar. This sugar will cross the placenta and the unborn baby's pancreas will respond to this high level of sugar by constantly producing large amounts of insulin. The insulin will allow the cells of the fetus to take in glucose, where it will be converted to fat and stored. A fetus that has been exposed to consistently high levels of sugar may be abnormally large. Such a baby may grow so large that he or she cannot be born through the vagina, but will instead need to be born through a surgical procedure (cesarean section). Furthermore, when the baby is born, the baby will still have an abnormally large amount of insulin circulating in the blood. After birth, when the mother and baby are no longer connected via the placenta and umbilical cord, the baby will no longer be receiving the mother's high level of sugar. The baby's high level of insulin, however, will very quickly use up the glucose circulating in the its bloodstream, predisposing the baby to a dangerously low level of blood glucose (i.e., a condition called hypoglycemia). A study conducted among different ethnic groups in the US reveals that Filipinos are at a high risk of developing gestational diabetes. Along with Koreans, Filipinos had the highest prevalence of GDM from among the 16,757 women aged 13 to 39 that comprise the research sample in a study conducted by Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. A local study conducted within the University of Santo Tomas Hospital posted a 7.6% prevalence of patients with GDM in the year 2009 which is well within the global statistics. This particular study likewise shows that women with GDM were older at the time of pregnancy, had greater pregestational body weight (thus higher BMI) and positive family history for diabetes compared to those without GDM, confirming globally recognized risk factors as well.

Reveals altered finding during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), it also has elevated glucose levels even during fasting and/ or during after meals.

Apart from modification of lifestyle and diet, adjunct therapy with insulin and other diabetes medications are indicated and necessary.

Risk Factors Classical risk factors for developing gestational diabetes are:

Poor obstetric history Genetics

Family history of diabetes First-degree relative with type 2 diabetes Women increase the risk of acquiring gestational diabetes as her age increases. For gestational diabetes, women at the age of 35 and above are prone to develop this condition.

Maternal age

Weight, pregnant women who are overweight, obese and those severely obese are at high risk for having gestational diabetes. a previous pregnancy which resulted in a child with a high birth weight.

Previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes Previous episodes of impaired glucose tolerance Previous episodes of impaired fasting glycemia Ethnic background

1. 2.

South Asians African-Americans Hispanics Pacific Islanders Afro-Caribbeans Native Americans

Assessment and Diagnosis Regular blood tests to check blood sugar level Glucose-screening test between 24 and 28 weeks Exercise regularly as planned and prescribed, exercise can help keep the blood sugar level normal. Take frequent blood tests to check blood sugar level.

Management