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Gestational diabetes mellitus: an updated overview

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Abstract

The clinical and public health relevance of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is widely debated due to its increasing incidence, the resulting negative economic impact, and the potential for severe GDM-related pregnancy complications. Also, effective prevention strategies in this area are still lacking, and controversies exist regarding diagnosis and management of this form of diabetes. Different diagnostic criteria are currently adopted worldwide, while recommendations for diet, physical activity, healthy weight, and use of oral hypoglycemic drugs are not always uniform. In the present review, we provide an update of current insights on clinical aspects of GDM, by discussing the more controversial issues.

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Authors contribution

Eusebio Chiefari wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Biagio Arcidiacono contributed to the revision of the literature and to the figures. Daniela Foti contributed to the revision of the literature and to the bibliography. Antonio Brunetti performed critical revision and editing of the manuscript.

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Chiefari, E., Arcidiacono, B., Foti, D. et al. Gestational diabetes mellitus: an updated overview. J Endocrinol Invest 40, 899–909 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-016-0607-5

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