Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: Symmetrical small red bumps have appeared on both legs recently, accompanied by itching. Fasting blood glucose was measured at 10.8, and post-meal blood glucose after 2 hours was 8.8. Why is this happening?Duration and course of the current illness: Approximately 15 days.
Current general condition: 31 weeks pregnant.
Medical history: Same as above.
Previous diagnoses and treatment history and outcomes: None.
Ancillary tests: Same as above.
Other: None.
Doctor's answer:
Hello, gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that occurs or is first discovered during pregnancy. 80%–90% of pregnant women have no history of diabetes before pregnancy, while about 10% already had latent diabetes before becoming pregnant but were not diagnosed.Gestational diabetes occurs because hormones secreted after conception have a resisting effect on insulin in the body's peripheral tissues. As the pregnancy progresses, this effect peaks between weeks 24 and 28, which is why doctors conduct diabetes screening tests for pregnant women during this period. Statistics show that the incidence of gestational diabetes has increased from 2% in 1996 to 4.6% in 2003, possibly due to factors such as excessive nutrition and poor dietary habits among pregnant women.
Gestational diabetes poses risks to both the mother and the baby, manifesting as an increased likelihood of conditions like gestational hypertension, polyhydramnios, neonatal hypoglycemia, higher rates of macrosomia, and an elevated risk of difficult labor. Dietary management is the primary treatment for gestational diabetes, with only 10%–20% of patients requiring insulin therapy. Oral hypoglycemic drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy. Studies indicate that women with gestational diabetes have a 50%–60% chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5–10 years after giving birth, so even after recovery, it is important to continue preventive measures.