ILSI Southeast Asia symposium: prevalence, risk factors, and actions to address gestational diabetes in selected Southeast Asian countries

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing, particularly in Southeast Asia. This paper presents findings from a symposium organized by the International Life Sciences Institute Southeast Asia (ILSI SEA) which discussed the growing issue of gestational diabetes and how it can be addressed in the region. GDM together with diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) both fall under the definition of hyperglycemia in pregnancy [ 1 ]. GDM is defined as diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy mostly after 24 weeks gestation. DIP is defined as pregnant women having higher oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results [ 1 ]. Table 1 shows the WHO criteria that distinguish GDM and DIP [ 2 ].