Diabetes is a condition most commonly associated with diet and weight, but is also one of the most common complications in pregnancy. Technically known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), it occurs when a pregnant woman — who previously wasn't diabetic — develops the disease thanks to high glucose levels. Despite its lack of recognition as a serious complication for quite some time, research has shown that if left untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to serious consequences, like premature birth or stillbirth. An estimated 2 to 10 percent of pregnancies in the U.S. are affected by the condition, which can also increase a woman's risk of developing diabetes later in life.
Cases of gestational diabetes have been on the rise the last several years, part of a nationwide trend dating back even before the pandemic. But research presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting this week showed that cases increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, too.
