Current Research in Diabetes & Obesity Journal

Screening and Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Author: Lois Jovanovič*

Published: November 14, 2017

DOI: 10.19080/CRDOJ.2017.04.555646

Abstract Content: Pregnancy is a diabetogenic state manifested by insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. The resistance stems from the placental secretion of diabetogenic hormones, including growth hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone, placental lactogen, and progesterone. Appropriate metabolic adaptations occur in normal pregnant women to ensure that the fetus has an ample supply of fuel and nutrients at all times. These adaptations are associated with large fluctuations in serum glucose and insulin concentrations depending upon whether the pregnant woman is fasting or has recently eaten. Fasting is a form of accelerated starvation, in which alternative fuels are made available to the mother while glucose is reserved for the fetus [1]. After an overnight fast, for example, maternal fasting capillary blood glucose concentrations fall to between 55 and 65mg/dL and venous plasma equivalent to 63 to 75mg/dL [2], while serum ketone and free fatty acid concentrations rise [3,4].