07/10/2021
Gestational diabetes has long been a controversial topic.
The controversy is well summarised by an opinion paper that was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology last year.
The author pointed out that, "Despite the increasing numbers of women diagnosed, there is little to suggest outcomes are improved."
“Evidence‐based benefits from treatment are much less than is generally believed."
"While few babies can benefit, all babies treated, particularly pharmacologically, are exposed to potential harm."
"All treated babies have their growth and lean mass reduced, which may be detrimental, particularly as the majority are already of normal or small size."
"The pharmacological intensification of treatment is not based on sound evidence, is probably unnecessary, potentially harmful, and should be ceased until there is better evidence for benefit and safety."
"If parents are not correctly informed about these matters they cannot properly consent to GDM‐related interventions in their otherwise normal pregnancies, and this becomes important if interventions lead to problems.” (Hegarty 2020).
This is just one reason why it's so important to get informed. So you can make the decisions that are right for you.
More info and a link to the original article in my blog post at https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/gestational-diabetes/
