Diabetes in Women After Gestational Diabetes: A Missed Opportunity for Prevention

Abstract

Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). On average, one third of women develop T2D within 15 years of their GDM pregnancy.1 In a recent analysis, the rate of GDM in U.S. pregnancies was more than 6% and was noted to be increasing by close to 4% per year from 2011 to 2019.2 The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has further exacerbated concerns about the rising global prevalence of GDM because more women appear to be developing this condition because of factors such as increased sedentary behavior, weight gain, and stress during the pandemic.