Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 en zwangerschap

In Type 2 or insulin-independent diabetes, the insulin receptors on the cells stop responding to insulin, developing resistance to insulin functions. This reduces the cell's ability to uptake glucose and, as a result, increases the blood glucose levels.

As shown in the table, blood sugar can be measured using different tests. Depending on the cut-off values, a patient is diagnosed as normal, prediabetic, or diabetic.

Type 2 diabetes is common in adults. Lack of physical activity, obesity, poor diet, and a family history are major risk factors.

Similar to Type 1, Type 2 diabetic patients are at risk of heart disease, amputations, kidney failure, and blindness.

Type 2 diabetes is managed through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, along with medications such as oral antidiabetic drugs and, if needed, insulin therapy.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus or GDM occurs during pregnancy and can lead to complications such as preterm labor, fetal overgrowth, and preeclampsia.

Although it resolves post-childbirth, GDM mothers and the babies born to them face a lifelong risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.