GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS (GDM) When you take in food, insulin helps your body cells to make use of the glucose as fuel. If your body cells for any reason do not recognise the glucose or have a problem responding, the glucose remains in excess amounts in your blood - a condition known as hyperglycemia, resulting in diabetes. In pregnancy, the change in hormonal levels causes diabetes in a number of women but some of them remain chronically diabetic after delivery. Diabetes in pregnancy is known as Gestatioanal Diabetes, occuring in about 5% of pregnancies. It has no symptoms (asymptomatic), hence pregnant women need to have regular blood sugar screen done on them.Risk factors include: -Obesity -Previous history of gestational diabetes -Familiy history -History ofunexplained stillbirth -Hypertension -Having sugar in urine -Impaired glucoce tolerance -Having too much amniotic flluid (polyhydramnios) Investigations to be carried out include one or a number of the following: •Ultrasound scan •FBC and sickling status •Urinalysis •High vaginal swab •BUE and creatinine •FBS and 2-hour post-prandial blood glucose If unmanaged, there is an increased likelihood of developing into Diabetes Mellitus later in life. Other complications include: -Birth defects -Miscarriage -Overweight of developing foetus The condition is managed by •Moderate exercising •Diet modification •Administration of insulin. (NB: Oral antidiabetics should not be given to pregnant women and lactating mothers) Like and share this on your timeline, and follow us on twitter: @MedPractitioner Patrick Fynn
Posted on: Fri, 30 May 2014 15:00:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015