Gestational diabetes (Gestational diabetes) is a disorder of glucose metabolism that first occurs during pregnancy. It is caused by hormonal insulin resistance and leads to a temporarily elevated blood sugar level, which returns to normal in most women after childbirth.
Causes and risk factors
The disease is mainly triggered by placental hormones that weaken the effect of insulin. Important risk factors are:
- Overweight or obesity before pregnancy
- Mother's age over 35 years
- Previous gestational diabetes
- Birth of a child with high birth weight (over 4,000 g)
- Family history of diabetes mellitus
- Ethnic origin (increased risk if you are of South Asian, African or Latin American descent)
Clinical symptoms
Gestational diabetes often occurs without any noticeable symptoms. Possible signs are:
- Severe thirst and frequent urination
- Severe fatigue
- Frequent urinary tract infections or fungal infections
- Occasional visual disturbances
The disease is usually only discovered through routine screening during pregnancy.
Diagnostics
The standard examination is carried out between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). If there is an increased risk, the test can be carried out earlier.
| Parameters | limit |
|---|---|
| Fasting blood sugar | ≥ 92 mg/dl (5.1 mmol/l) |
| 1 hour value | ≥ 180 mg/dl (10.0 mmol/l) |
| 2 hour value | ≥ 153 mg/dl (8.5 mmol/l) |
Therapy and long-term consequences
The treatment aims to achieve good blood sugar control to avoid complications for mother and child:
- Change in diet and adapted physical activity
- Regular blood sugar self-monitoring
- If necessary, insulin therapy (oral antidiabetics are usually not approved during pregnancy)
After giving birth, blood sugar returns to normal in most women. However, there is a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later. Therefore, a new OGTT is recommended 6–12 weeks after delivery.
Further information:
→ Diabetes mellitus – knowledge and overview
→ Why hyporest
Sources
- German Diabetes Society (DDG). S3 guideline “Type 2 diabetes”. As of 2025. Available at: www.deutsche-diabetes-gesellschaft.de/leitlinien.
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1). Available at: diabetesjournals.org.
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Federal health reporting – diabetes mellitus in Germany. Berlin 2024.
- International Diabetes Federation (IDF). IDF Diabetes Atlas. 11th edition. Brussels 2025. Available at: diabetesatlas.org.
Important note:
The information in this encyclopedia article is intended solely for general and non-binding information. They do not replace medical advice, diagnosis or therapy. If you have any health questions or complaints, please always consult a doctor or qualified healthcare professional. The content was created with the greatest possible care, but errors cannot be completely ruled out.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
