Diabetes is a chronic-condition, that
necessitates ongoing medical care to patient, patient
education, and support for self-management in order to
avoid acute complications and decrease long-term
repercussions. Therefore, the epidemic of Diabetic
mellitus (DM) is followed by a burden of diabetes-related
vascular disease. In particular, type 2 diabetes is an
epidemic that requires global attention as cardiovascular
risk. As the population ages, persons with diabetes are
becoming more prevalent. This is partly due to increased
obesity and physical inactivity. Globally, both
hyperglycemia during pregnancy and obesity in women of
childbearing age have reached epidemic proportions
(1:2). Untreated diabetic pregnancies are associated with
high perinatal mortality and morbidity. However,
screening, prenatal fetal monitoring, and insulin therapy
significantly reduced this value. This article reviews the
definition, risk factors, etiology, screening and treatment,
maternal and fetal complications, side effects, and
prevention of diabetes during pregnancy.
Keywords : Diabetic mellitus, Gestational diabetes, Treatment, Complications, Diagnostic criteria.