How to improve outcomes
in gestational diabetes—
for mother and baby

Early diagnosis, close monitoring, and aggressive management
may improve outcomes, for both patients, in pregnancies marked
by gestational diabetes mellitus

Dr. Reece is John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean of the University of
Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD.

Dr. Reece reports no financial relationships relevant to this article.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was once thought to be a mild condition that had few lasting consequences. Now, we know that it carries significant short- and long-term implications for women and their offspring. A growing body of evidence suggests that early detection and aggressive monitoring and management of GDM can greatly improve outcomes for pregnant women and their babies. This article outlines the parameters of this approach.