Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetesfound in pregnantwomen. It occurs when the pregnant woman's body cannot produce enough insulin, resulting in high blood sugar. Gestational diabetes affects an estimated two to three percent of pregnant women.[1]

Risk factors for diabetes include:

• a family historyof type 2(adult-onset) diabetes
• maternal age - a woman's risk factor increases the older she is
• ethnic background (those with higher risk factors include African-Americans, North American native peoples and Hispanics)
• obesity
• gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
• a previous pregnancy that resulted in a child with a birth weight of 9 pounds or more

Frequently women with gestational diabetes exhibit no symptoms. However, possible symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, bladder and yeast infection, and blurred vision.

Testing and treatment

Generally a test for gestational diabetes is carried out between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.

Often, gestational diabetes can be managed through a combination of diet and exercise. If that is not possible, it is treated with insulin, in a similar manner to diabetes mellitus.

Associated conditions

Gestational diabetes can sometimes lead to macrosomic pregnancy.

See also

• Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy

External links

• Canadian Diabetes Association
• Medline Plus
• Plus Size Pregnancy.org
• Islets of Hope Diabetes Supportfr:Diabète gestationnel

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article Gestational diabetes.