WHO Launches Diabetes Pregnancy Guidelines on World Diabetes Day
“`html
WHO Releases First global Guidelines for Managing Diabetes During Pregnancy
Table of Contents
Published November 15, 2023, updated November 15, 2024, and reviewed November 15, 2025.
The World Health Association (WHO) today released it’s first global guidelines for the management of diabetes during pregnancy,a condition affecting approximately one in six pregnancies – or 21 million women annually. These guidelines mark a pivotal step in strengthening maternal health and combating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). They underscore the importance of integrating diabetes care into routine antenatal services and ensuring equitable access to essential medicines and technologies.
The guideline launch coincides with World Diabetes Day 2025, whose theme, “Diabetes across life stages,” recognizes that every person living with diabetes should have access to integrated care, supportive environments, and policies that promote health, dignity, and self-management.
The growing Global Burden of Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges globally, affecting over 800 million people. It is a leading cause of heart disease,kidney failure,blindness,and lower-limb amputation,with impacts stretching across generations and health systems. Over the last decades, the prevalence of diabetes has risen most rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, where access to care and essential medicines remains limited.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of people living with diabetes is projected to reach 1.3 billion by 2050 (International Diabetes Federation, 2024).Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), diabetes that develops during pregnancy, is a meaningful contributor to maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.
| Region | Estimated Number of Women with Gestational Diabetes (2021) |
|---|---|
| Africa | 2.9 million |
| asia-Pacific | 11.8 million |
| Europe | 1.6 million |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | 2.8 million |
| North America | 1.7 million |
A Life-Course Approach to Diabetes
By focusing on diabetes across life stages,this year’s campaign calls for urgent action to ensure that no one is left behind – from children and adolescents to older adults.This emphasizes the importance of a life-course approach to diabetes prevention, management, and overall well-being. The new WHO guidelines specifically address the need for early detection, personalized care, and ongoing support for women with diabetes during pregnancy.
The guidelines cover key areas including:
- Screening: Recommendations for identifying women at risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.
- Diagnosis: Standardized criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes.
- Management: evidence-based recommendations for medical nutrition therapy, physical activity, and pharmacological interventions.
- Postpartum Care: Guidance on monitoring and managing diabetes after pregnancy to reduce the risk of future complications.