Counterpoint: Oral hypoglyemic agents should be used to treat diabetic pregnant women.

摘要

It has now been established that even mild forms of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (impaired glucose tolerance according to World Health Organization 1985 criteria) can cause major morbidity and even mortality if left untreated (1). As with type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of GDM has increased dramatically, linked to the worldwide obesity epidemic (2). This increase has been especially prevalent in the developing world and among indigenous populations who have adopted the unhealthy lifestyle of countries that are now part of the developed world (Maoris in New Zealand, Aborigines in Australia, and indigenous Americans in North America). The developing world, especially India but also Africa, faces an enormous increase in pregnant diabetic patients (both with GDM and with type 2 diabetes).