Gestational diabetes
Einstein Health Glossary
ICD 10 - O24
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is the chronic increase in blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels during pregnancy.
Symptoms
Most of the time, gestational diabetes does not present symptoms. Without proper care, it can lead to excessive birth weight, which favors future diseases. Malformations and miscarriage, among other complications, may also occur. This condition indicates that the mother has an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
Causes
Gestational diabetes occurs because hormones produced by the placenta, especially placental lactogen hormone, hinder the action of insulin, which ensures that sugar is absorbed by the cells and converted into energy. As a result, glucose remains in the bloodstream.
Diagnosis
Gestational diabetes is usually detected in blood tests that are part of prenatal care, the monitoring of pregnancy.
Prevention Method
The best way to prevent gestational diabetes is to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and poor diet.
Treatment
After the diagnosis of gestational diabetes, the woman should monitor her blood sugar level (glycemia) daily, follow a healthy diet, and engage in appropriate physical activities. Medications may be prescribed by the doctor to reduce glycemia.
Duration
Gestational diabetes persists until the end of pregnancy. If glycemia remains high even some time after delivery, it is considered that the person has developed type 2 diabetes.
Is it contagious?
Gestational diabetes is not contagious.
Can it be contracted more than once?
Gestational diabetes can return in a future pregnancy. It also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes after pregnancy.