Gestational Diabetes: Nutrition, Complications and Treatment

Gestational diabetes is one of the types of diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy for the first time. It affects the cell's capability to use sugar, resulting in high blood sugar levels, which can affect the pregnancy and health of the baby. The most common cause of gestational diabetes is a change in hormone levels that makes it difficult for the body to efficiently process blood sugar. There are several complications associated with gestational diabetes, such as increased risk of breathing difficulties in infants, hypoglycemia, excessive birth weight, preterm birth and obesity. In certain cases it may also result in still birth. Diagnosis involves a screening test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Initial glucose challenge test and follow-up glucose tolerance testing are routine screening procedures for gestational diabetes. Treatment and management for gestational diabetes includes medication, blood sugar monitoring and certain lifestyle changes. Repeated ultrasounds for examining the growth and development of an infant become paramount in the course of treatment. This book provides comprehensive insights into gestational diabetes. It presents researches and studies on the nutritional aspects of this disease as well as its complications and treatment. This book will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and post graduate students.