Abstrakt
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with its increasing prevalence is a current medical issue. Together with preeclampsia, GDM is currently considered as the most frequent complication in pregnancy.
The incidence is increasing along with the obesity rise and conception delay to the higher age. It is associated with a higher incidence of perinatal and postnatal complications in mother as well as in child.
According to the present knowledge, GDM is a manifestation of a long lasting metabolic dysfunction with increased inflammatory activity. Patients with GDM represent a risk group with an increased cardiovascular risk and a seven-fold increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in the post-partum life.
Due to the HAPO study results, several countries adjusted their criteria for screening and diagnosis of GDM.