Treatment of glucose intolerance in pregnancy: staged diabetes management.

Abstract

Current methods for the treatment of glucose intolerance first discovered in pregnancy are reviewed and a systematic data-based approach is introduced. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a leading cause of adverse perinatal outcome in 5% of all pregnancies in the United States. Early detection and initiation of treatment meant to restore euglycemia will prevent many of the major complications associated with hyperglycemia. Staged Diabetes Management (SDM) is introduced in this paper as an innovative approach for the detection and treatment of GDM and glucose intolerance in pregnancy. Relying on self-monitored blood glucose data, SDM guides the primary care physician through increasingly more complex regimens until euglycemia is reached. Computer-based technologies assist the clinical decision-making by producing Ambulatory Glucose Profiles (AGP), which are graphic representations of glycemic control. SDM combined with AGP technology are meant to significantly reduce the threefold greater risk of adverse outcome in pregnancy experienced by women with GDM.