Health Status Outcomes for Diabetes: gestational diabetes

Health Status Outcomes

Women with gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Some studies indicate that as many as 40 percent develop type 2 diabetes within 20 years of being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It is very important that women with gestational diabetes have their blood sugars tested at the postpartum visit to ensure their blood sugar levels have returned to normal. There is some evidence regarding the higher risk of diabetes among offspring of mothers with diabetes during pregnancy as well. There appears to be a greater likelihood that these infants are born with compromised pancreatic beta cells, leading to a higher chance of developing diabetes.