| Pregestational diabetes in the mother results in higher levels of blood glucose than in gestational diabetes. These mothers may experience postpartum hyperglycemia and low body mass index. Laboratory studies will reveal increase serum glucose both prior to and during the pregnancy, with an increase in hemoglobin A1C if glucose control is poor. If antibodies against insulin or pancreatic islet cells are found, this is diagnostic of diabetes mellitus type 1.
Initial treatment is always with dietary changes and exercise, but if lifestyle modifications do not result in adequate glucose control, then insulin is once again indicated, both in type 1 and type II diabetes mellitus. [6] |