Maternal Complications of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In gestational,  DKA resulted from diabetes mellitus at lower blood glucose level (i.e., <200 mg/dL) and more rapidly then in nonpregnant diabetics. The pathophysiology of DKA is relative or absolute insulin deficiency.

The resulting hyperglicemia and glucoseuria lead to osmotic diuresis, promoting urinary potassium, sodium, and fluid loss. Insulin deficiency also increases lipolysis and hepatic oxidation of fatty acids, producing ketones and eventually causing metabolic acidosis.

Hypoglycemia that is serios enuogh to require hospitalization.

Rapid progression of microvascular and atherosclerotic disease.

Nephropathy.

Diabetic retinopathy.

Preterm labor and delivery.