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Gestational diabetes - Overview

Alternative Names

Glucose intolerance during pregnancy

Definition of Gestational diabetes:

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (diabetes) that starts or is first diagnosed during pregnancy.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Risk factors for gestational diabetes include:

African or Hispanic ancestry
Being older than 25 when pregnant
Family history of diabetes
Giving birth to a previous baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
Obesity
Recurrent infections
Unexplained miscarriage or death of a newborn

Pancreas

Gestational Diabetes

Reviewed last on: 10/28/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus: Recommendation statement. Rockville, MD. US Preventive Services Task Force; May 2008: Ann Intern Med; 148(759-765).

ACOG Practice Bulletin. Clinical management guidelines for obstetrician-gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Sep;98(3):525-38.

Landon MB, Catalano PM, Gabbe SG. Diabetes mellitus complicating pregnancy. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics - Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 37.

Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al . Antepartum assessment. In: Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al, eds. Williams Obstetrics. 22nd ed. New York, NY; McGraw-Hill; 2005:chap 15.

Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al . Diabetes. In: Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al, eds. Williams Obstetrics. 22nd ed. New York, NY; McGraw-Hill; 2005:chap 52.

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