Diabetes and pregnancy refers to the management of disordered glucose metabolism during gestation, encompassing both pre-existing diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus, the latter defined as glucose intolerance first recognized in pregnancy. The condition arises when the physiological insulin resistance of preg…
Diabetes and pregnancy refers to the management of disordered glucose metabolism during gestation, encompassing both pre-existing diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus, the latter defined as glucose intolerance first recognized in pregnancy. The condition arises when the physiological insulin resistance of pregnancy, driven by placental hormones, is not matched by sufficient insulin secretion, producing maternal hyperglycemia. Because glucose crosses the placenta while insulin does not, sustained maternal hyperglycemia stimulates fetal insulin production and can result in fetal overgrowth, or macrosomia, alongside risks of birth trauma, neonatal hypoglycemia, and later metabolic disease in the offspring. Maternal consequences include hypertensive disorders, increased rates of operative delivery, and a heightened lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes. Identification of risk factors and systematic screening allow timely diagnosis, and outcomes improve substantially with treatment, whether through dietary modification, glucose monitoring, or pharmacologic therapy. Research in this area also examines the inflammatory milieu of gestational diabetes, including proinflammatory cytokines that accompany insulin resistance, and the intersection of metabolic disease with social and psychological stressors that influence glycemic control. Preconception counseling and care further reduce risk by optimizing glucose regulation before conception. Effective management across the preconception, antenatal, and postpartum periods is central to reducing both immediate obstetric complications and the longer-term health consequences for mother and child.
8 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 8 articles above have been cited 24 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Diabetes and Pregnancy, linking to each citing work.