WHO Releases New Guidelines for Diabetes Care During Pregnancy
geneva, Switzerland – The World Health Institution (WHO) has issued updated guidelines for the care of pregnant women with diabetes, aiming to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes globally. The extensive recommendations, released this month, address screening, diagnosis, and management of both pre-existing and gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
These updated guidelines arrive at a critical time, as the prevalence of diabetes in pregnancy is rising worldwide, mirroring the global increase in diabetes overall. Approximately 14% of pregnancies worldwide are affected by gestational diabetes, placing both mothers and babies at increased risk of complications including preeclampsia, birth trauma, neonatal hypoglycemia, and long-term health issues. The new recommendations seek to standardize care and empower healthcare providers with the latest evidence-based practices to mitigate these risks.
The guidelines emphasize early identification of diabetes in pregnancy through global screening, ideally during the first trimester. WHO recommends utilizing validated diagnostic criteria, including fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c testing, to accurately diagnose both pre-existing diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Management strategies outlined in the guidelines prioritize a patient-centered approach, focusing on lifestyle interventions – including medical nutrition therapy and physical activity – as the cornerstone of care.Pharmacological interventions, such as insulin, are recommended when lifestyle measures are insufficient to achieve target glycemic control.
Key recommendations also include:
* Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels: To ensure optimal glycemic control throughout pregnancy.
* Comprehensive antenatal care: Including assessment for complications and individualized care plans.
* Skilled birth attendance: To manage potential complications during labor and delivery.
* Postpartum follow-up: To monitor both maternal and infant health, and assess the risk of future diabetes.
The WHO stresses the importance of integrating these guidelines into national healthcare policies and training programs to ensure widespread implementation and equitable access to quality care for all pregnant women with diabetes. The organization will continue to monitor the impact of these guidelines and update them as new evidence emerges.
