Gestational diabetes
This type of diabetes appears during pregnancy, approximately in 3 - 5% of pregnant women. It is glucose metabolism disorder in pregnancy, when insulin production in ß-cells is insufficient and doesn't cover increased need in this period (placental hormones act against insulin). It develops in the second half of pregnancy. There is increased probability of gestational diabetes in pregnant woman over 30, with obesity or when diabetes was diagnosed among her closest relatives. The main principle of treatment of gestational diabetes is diet modification - regulated intake of sugars, lipids and proteins and regular measurements of glycemia. If diet is not sufficient to keep glycemia within acceptable range, it is necessary to compensate its plasmatic levels with insulin. Non-treated gestational diabetes is a great risk for mother as well as for child. Glycemia returns to its normal levels in most cases after birth, but mother is followed up by diabetologist. Gestational diabetes is a warning that in 20% of non-obese and approx. in 60% of obese women diabetes - type 2 will develop about 15 - 20 years after the pregnancy.
Other types of diabetes:
- Diabetes type 1
- Diabetes type 2
- Gestational diabetes
- Other specific types of diabetes mellitus
