title: Screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
abstract: This chapter discusses the evidence for the existence of an entity called 'gestational diabetes', suggesting that it can be understood in terms of risk to the pregnancy and/or risk to the mother. Various diagnostic criteria used in various parts of the world are described, and a rationale for using pregnancy-specific criteria is put forth. Universal screening approaches are also characterized. Barriers to the universal adoption of a single screening scheme and set of diagnostic criteria are outlined.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Coustan
mesh_terms: D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy