Epidemiologic context of diabetes in pregnancy

Historically, the study of diabetes in pregnancy has focused on either women with Type 1 diabetes, whose poor obstetric outcomes once led to an editorial entitled "They give birth astride the grave" or GDM, an entity which remains contentious, with variable approaches to definition, screening, and diagnosis. The current epidemic of obesity and diabetes among children, adolescents, and non - pregnant adults has changed the situation, leading to growing numbers with Type 2 diabetes in pregnancy and GDM (including undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes). In parallel, our understanding of the impact of diabetes in pregnancy for future generations, and our increasing ability to reduce pregnancy complications, and postpone, if not prevent, diabetes after GDM, have emphasized the epidemiologic and public health importance of diabetes in pregnancy.