Abstract
Any degree of glucose intolerance during the pregnancy of a women is termed as
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). It may further develop into Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus (T2DM) later in life. GDM affects both mother and infant in multiple
ways and there are various factors that predispose the development of GDM.The
primary objective of this review is to describe the various aspects related to
GDM and the subsequent risk of developing T2DM later in life.We reviewed freely
accessible, full-text articles, available in PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE
in the English language, till August 2022 pertaining to GDM.The pathophysiology
of underlying glucose intolerance has been discussed, including the various
factors like β-Cell dysfunction, chronic insulin resistance,
adiponectin, insulin resistance. GDM affects pregnancies world-wide, but it is
higher in the South-east Asia, northern America and Caribbean, south and central
America regions. Along with ethnicity, various modifiable and non-modifiable
risk factors also play a major role in development of disease. Although no
standard diagnostic criteria is accepted world-wide for screening of GDM, but
the one-step and two-step approach has made quite a difference. The risk of
developing T2DM after GDM is well documented, and it increases with age. GDM
leads to an onset of diabetes in the family at a young age, it leads to poor
consequences on the health of both the mother and infant. Standard diagnostic
criteria, proper education and counselling of the mother is required to tackle
the condition.
Key words gestational diabetes mellitus - diabetes mellitus type 2 - Impaired glucose tolerance
- metabolic syndrome
