GDM and Medical Nutrition Therapy

Shi, M., Liu, Z. L., Steinmann, P., Chen, J., Chen, C., Ma, X. T., & Han, S. H. (2016).  Medical nutrition therapy for pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus—A retrospective cohort study. Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology55(5), 666-671.

Medical Nutrition Therapy for Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes mellitus- A retrospective cohort study

When a pregnant woman develops diabetes mellitus during pregnancy, this is referred to as gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes (GDM) is described as a glucose intolerance that occurs during pregnancy. Glucose homeostasis is often times restored back to nonpregnancy levels post-partum, however, women diagnosed with GDM are at a high risk of developing type II diabetes later in life. GDM has a negative impact on both mother and baby including problems such as maternal polyhydramnios, pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, fetal deformities, and more. Since complications are so common with GDM, it is important to try to manage blood sugar levels during pregnancy in order to decrease the risk for complications. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a key tool in managing GDM. MNT in GDM is meant to guarantee necessary nutritional needs during pregnancy while at the same time achieving acceptable glucose control.
This study looked at 488 GDM cases and assessed prepregnancy weight, weight changes during pregnancy, glucose levels, GDM management, follow-up, and birth outcomes from 2008-2012. Participants in this study were advised to receive MNT counseling as well as follow other nutrition guidelines. Results showed that fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour blood glucose, weight gain at 28 weeks, 32 weeks, and 36 weeks were all lower in the MNT group than with those who did not receive MNT. This study therefore exhibits how MNT can be an effective way to reduce the prevalence of GDM and in addition the consequences that can arise from the disease.

KS

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