Controversy grows over redefinition of gestational diabetes

McLean, Mark; Moaven, Len D; Moin, Naswrin; Bradford, Jennifer A

doi:10.5694/mja12.11326

Topics

To the Editor: Moynihan has recently suggested that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a “non-entity”1 and cited controversy regarding new diagnostic criteria, while McIntyre and Oats have defended the practice of screening for GDM.2 Robust data associate hyperglycaemia with adverse pregnancy outcomes;3 and randomised controlled trial data show a beneficial effect of screening and treatment on perinatal outcomes.4

1 School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
2 Moaven and Partners Pathology, Sydney, NSW.
3 Division of Medicine, Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals, Sydney, NSW.
4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW.

Correspondence: m.mclean@uws.edu.au

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

1. Moynihan RN. Controversy grows over redefinition of gestational diabetes. Med J Aust 2012; 197: 203. <MJA full text>
2. McIntyre HD, Oats JJN. Gestational diabetes needs to be managed. Med J Aust 2013; 198: 78-79. <MJA full text>
3. Metzger BE, Lowe LP, Dyer AR, et al; The HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group. Hyperglycemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes. N Engl J Med 2008; 358: 1991-2002.
4. Crowther CA, Hiller JE, Moss JR, et al. Effect of treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus on pregnancy outcomes. N Engl J Med 2005; 352: 2477-2486.
5. Shah BR, Retnakaran R, Booth GL. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease in young women following gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care 2008; 31: 1668-1669.

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