Gestational diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition caused by impaired production or function of the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. The disease appears in two main forms: Type 1 diabetes (often called “juvenile diabetes”), which primarily affects people under age 30, and Type 2 diabetes, which can occur at any age and accounts for about 90% of diabetes cases in Israel, becoming more common with age. 

What is gestational diabetes? 
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a condition in which blood sugar levels rise above normal only during pregnancy, in women who did not have diabetes beforehand. 

How does gestational diabetes differ from regular diabetes? 
The key difference lies in its temporary nature. Regular diabetes is a lifelong condition, while gestational diabetes usually resolves after childbirth. However, women who develop gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. 

What causes gestational diabetes? 
The condition is mainly triggered by hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, and those secreted by the placenta make the body’s cells less responsive to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. 

What are the risks of gestational diabetes? 
Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of complications during childbirth for both mother and baby. Possible issues include having a baby that is larger than average (which can make delivery more difficult) or the newborn experiencing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) immediately after birth. 

How is gestational diabetes treated? 
Treatment focuses on lifestyle adjustments—maintaining a balanced diet with evenly spaced meals, avoiding simple sugars, and engaging in light physical activity. Women with gestational diabetes are advised to monitor their blood sugar levels several times a day. If necessary, medication may be prescribed to help keep blood sugar within a healthy range and prevent complications for both mother and baby. 

At the Dangoor Center, Professor Omry Koren is leading a promising study—still in the developmental stage and not yet tested in humans—aimed at diagnosing gestational diabetes early in pregnancy by analyzing the composition of gut bacteria.