Early treatment of gestational diabetes for those at higher risk beneficial, study finds 10 May 2023 A first-of-its-kind international study led by Western Sydney University has shown that treatment of gestational diabetes from early pregnancy adds additional protection for babies and mothers from pregnancy complications. Published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, the new research explored whether treatment of gestational diabetes before 20 weeks’ gestation among those already at high risk improves maternal and infant health, finding a reduction in complications. Through a randomised controlled trial performed at 17 hospitals in Australia, Austria, Sweden and India, the study screened over 43,000 women to recruit 802 women with a diabetes risk factor before 20 weeks’ gestation, who had gestational diabetes by the World Health Organization definition. Lead author Distinguished Professor David Simmons from the University’s School of Medicine and Translational Health Research Institute said the study provides new evidence for those deemed at higher risk for early testing and treatment of gestational diabetes beyond the current recommended approach of intervening at 24-28 weeks. “Testing for gestational diabetes is offered routinely later in pregnancy and those at higher risk are also tested early on to exclude undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. If these early glucose values are increased, but below those diagnostic of type 2 diabetes, we feel we should treat but data has been lacking to demonstrate the effects of such treatment on the mother or baby; we have now filled this major knowledge gap likely affecting millions of pregnancies every year,” said Distinguished Professor Simmons. The study assessed pregnancy outcomes with the initiation of treatment for gestational diabetes before 20 weeks’, compared with no early treatment and subsequent initiation of treatment depending on results of repeat oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) at 24-28 weeks’ gestation, with significant and unexpected findings relating to respiratory distress in babies. More about the study
Blog 24 June 2025 Seeing the difference between diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema are both common eye complications linked to diabetes. Both can lead to vision loss. Continue Reading
News 23 June 2025 New gestational diabetes guidelines released to improve care for mothers and babies Australia’s peak diabetes organisations have welcomed new recommendations from the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS) that update the way... Continue Reading
News 20 June 2025 Free chronic wound care products now available for older Australians with diabetes A new national scheme providing free access to chronic wound care products for older Australians living with diabetes has officially... Continue Reading