Gestational diabetes mellitus -- time to treat.

Gestational diabetes mellitus, broadly defined as carbohydrate intolerance beginning or first recognized during pregnancy, 1,2 was originally described decades ago and has since been the subject of extensive research. Yet the most recent guidelines of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, noting the absence of data to establish a clear link between screening and improved outcomes of affected pregnancies, concluded that “the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening for gestational diabetes.” 3 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists officially recommends screening for and treatment of gestational diabetes but acknowledges that these recommendations are based on “limited or inconsistent scientific evidence.” 1