Type 2 Diabetes on the Rise among Pregnant Women

Today it is estimated that 8% to 15% of pregnant women have Type 2 diabetes, and if current trends continue, it will soon be higher. In 2000, investigators reported a 33% increase from 1990 to 1998 in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, and a 76% prevalence increase in individuals aged 30-39 years (Diab. Care 2000:23:1278-83). Others have estimated that the majority of pregestational pregnant diabetic women (80% to 90%) are Type 2. The rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes have risen further since 2000, so much so that the current pandemic — now often referred to as “diabesity” — has implications that are more urgent than ever for obstetrics and for our goal of optimizing outcomes for women and their newborns. Studies suggest that we need to achieve mean blood glucose levels of less than 100 mg/dL to prevent macrosomia. J. Matern. Fetal Neonatal Med. 2000:9;35-41.