Gestational Diabetes and Secondary diabetes

Gestational Diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes and usually occurs during pregnancy. It results from inability of the pancreas to produce additional insulin needed during pregnancy or excessive hormone production in the body. Sugar builds up in the blood due to lack of insulin. This is called hyperglycemia and it disappears with childbirth. But these women are prone to Type-2 diabetes later.

Gestational Diabetes may cause problems both to the mother and child if left untreated. Extra blood sugar can pass through the placenta and enter the baby’s system. This burdens the baby’s pancreas to produce extra insulin to get rid of blood sugar. Extra blood sugar and insulin lead to a fat baby syndrome or microsomatia. Because of extra insulin the baby may have breathing problems, obesity and adults are at risk of Type-2 diabetes.

Pregnant women should be screened between twenty-four to twenty-eighth week of pregnancy for gestational diabetes. Treatment for gestational diabetes should be started quickly to prevent adverse effects on the mother and baby. Treatment includes special meal plans, daily blood sugar testing and physical activity.

Secondary Diabetes

Other condition that gives rise to diabetes is called Secondary diabetes. Example infection, malnutrition, inflammation of pancreas, removal of pancreas, disorders of pituitary glands, certain medications especially cholesterol-lowering and high Blood Pressure drugs.

 
Diabetes Mellitus Related to Malnutrition

It is common in developing countries usually among young malnourished individuals. The onset of the disease is quite early before thirty years of age. In such cases insulin is required to control blood sugar. Malnutrition during natal and early childhood is the factor responsible for Malnutrition Related Diabetes Mellitus.
Fibro Calculous Pancreatic Diabetes is another variation, which is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain.