Gestational diabetes - Essay Example

Gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes Gestation diabetes is a condition in which glucose level in the blood of a pregnant woman is above the standard level. The situation is common around the 24th week of pregnancy. The condition mainly occurs when the insulin receptor does not function properly. Sometimes the woman might produce more glucose than the body insulin can manage. Insulin supplements are thus critical in controlling this condition (Kim & Ferrara, 2010). The blood glucose level of the mother usually returns to normal after the baby’s birth, although she faces increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

The born child may also experience the risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes later on in life. The babies born to mothers with GDM may be large for gestational age. Delivery, in this case, becomes complicated. The child’s blood glucose level might also be small and may suffer from jaundice. If untreated, it may lead to seizure or stillbirth (Joslin & Kahn, 2005). Women with undermanaged gestational diabetes can also have a higher risk of pre-eclampsia and caesarean section. Their children may suffer from childhood obesity.

Babies born from mothers suffering from GDM are also at high risk of higher red blood cell mass, condition known as polycythemia. They may also suffer from hypocalcemia and hypomagnesaemia. It also interferes with the proper maturation of the baby leading to respiratory distress syndrome due to the failure of the lung mature and impaired surfactant synthesis (American Diabetes Association, 2005). However, with proper and strict treatment, the mother can deliver a very healthy baby despite the fact of having diabetes.

ReferenceAmerican Diabetes Association. (2005). Gestational Diabetes: What to expect. Alexandria, Va: American Diabetes Association. Kim, C., & Ferrara, A. (2010). Gestational diabetes during and after pregnancy. New York: Springer. Joslin, E. P., & Kahn, C. R. (2005). Joslins diabetes mellitus. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.Bottom of Form