Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Glucose intolerance with onset in pregnancy; 75 g OGTT at 24–28 weeks.

History taking

  • Onset, duration, progression, severity
  • Aggravating / relieving factors
  • Past history, drugs, allergies, comorbidities
  • Family & social history relevant to presentation

Examination

  • General: vitals, pallor, icterus, oedema, lymphadenopathy
  • Focused system examination
  • Look for red-flag findings

Red flags

  • Haemodynamic instability
  • Rapid deterioration
  • Severe pain or new neurological deficit

Differential diagnosis

  • See differentials section per chief complaint

Recommended investigations

  • OGTT (fasting ≥5.1, 1h ≥10.0, 2h ≥8.5 mmol/L = positive)
  • HbA1c, fetal growth scans

Diagnosis

  • Clinical diagnosis supported by targeted investigations

Initial treatment / management

  • Treat underlying cause
  • Symptomatic relief
  • Patient education

Drug therapy

  • Diet + exercise first-line
  • Metformin if targets not met
  • Insulin if persistent hyperglycaemia

Follow-up advice

  • Postnatal 75 g OGTT 6 weeks + annual diabetes screening

Patient counselling

  • Explain diagnosis and natural course in lay terms
  • Red-flag symptoms warranting urgent return
  • Adherence to medications and follow-up

Referral criteria

  • Refer if diagnostic uncertainty, complications, or failure of first-line therapy

References

  • Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21e
  • NICE / WHO guidelines (current edition)

Educational outpatient guide — verify against local guidelines before clinical use.

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