Approach to the patient with gestational diabetes after delivery.

ABSTRACT: The diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) identifies patients with a pancreatic β-cell defect. In some patients, the defect is transient or stable, but in most it is progressive, imparting a high risk of diabetes for at least a decade after the index pregnancy. The β-cell defects in GDM can result from many causes, including genetic variants typical of monogenic forms of diabetes and autoimmunity typical of evolving type 1 diabetes. No specific disease-modifying therapies are available for those patients. The majority of women with GDM have clinical characteristics indicating a risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Available evidence indicates that T2D can be prevented or delayed by intensive lifestyle modification and by medications, particularly those that ameliorate insulin resista

SUBMITTER: Buchanan TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3232630 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature