O24.4: Diabetes mellitus arising in pregnancy

The sugar from food or from sweet drinks is absorbed via the intestine. The sugar gets into the blood there. As a result, the sugar level in the blood rises after eating. The pancreas produces the messenger substance insulin. The pancreas is located in the upper abdomen. Insulin ensures that the sugar from the blood is absorbed into the cells. After eating, especially, the pancreas releases insulin into the blood. As a result, the sugar level in the blood then drops back.

The metabolism changes in pregnancy. The body’s cells may not be absorbing the sugar from the blood as well as usual. When this causes the blood sugar content to be too high, it is also known as gestational diabetes.

When gestational diabetes is not properly treated, problems can result during pregnancy. Urinary tract infections can recur, for example. A premature birth can also favor gestational diabetes. The child may be heavier than usual. Once born, the child may also have problems due to the mother’s gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is favored by overweight and by the mother being older. There is also a tendency to develop gestational diabetes if close relatives have diabetes.

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