DIABETES IN PREGNANCY

Women with diabetes in pregnancy can be divided into two groups: women with diabetes diagnosed before pregnancy (pregestational diabetes) an d women with glucose intolerance diagnosed during pregnancy (gestation al diabetes mellitus). The majority of women with pregestational diabe tes have insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), but may also incl ude early-onset non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Gesta tional diabetes mellitus (GDM) can represent first recognition of IDDM or NIDDM. The expression of each of the forms of diabetes as a clinic al disorder represents a complex interaction of genetic and environmen tal factors. The prevalence of GDM varies between 0.15 and 4% and the prevalence of pre-GDM 0.2-0.4% in European countries [1]. (C) 1997 Els evier Science Ireland Ltd.