Question
What are the diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes?
Answer
Gestational diabetes refers to any degree of glucose instability discovered during pregnancy. Clinical data shows that approximately 2% to 3% of women develop diabetes during pregnancy. The standard diagnosis for diabetes is an fasting blood glucose level equal to or greater than 7.8mmol/L, or a 2-hour postprandial blood glucose level equal to or greater than 11.1mmol/L. It is particularly emphasized that pregnant women with impaired glucose tolerance should be treated as diabetics to ensure the safety of both the mother and the child. Gestational diabetes is more likely to occur in overweight and elderly pregnant women, with nearly 30% of gestational diabetes patients developing type 2 diabetes later on. Initially, dietary guidance can be provided, and blood glucose levels monitored; if the blood glucose level remains above 7.0mmol/L, insulin therapy may be required.