Vol 86, No 5 (2015)
ARTICLES
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk
DOI: 10.17772/gp/2429
Ginekol Pol 2015;86(5).
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy. In the course of pregnancy, elevated
levels of hormones and other proteins having insulin-antagonistic effects lead to higher insulin resistance in peripheral
tissues, followed by hyperinsulinemia. Risk factors for the development of GDM have been well-established.
However, the debate whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may predispose to GDM continues. Patients with
PCOS are often affected by obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia ,and tissue-specific insulin resistance. Obesity
occurs in 50% of the cases, while tissue-specific insulin resistance is observed in 20-40% of the affected patients.
This paper aims at systematizing risk factors that could contribute to the development of GDM, as well as reviewing
literature reports and analyses on the occurrence of a potential correlation.
Keywords: pregnancy / gestational diabetes mellitus / polycystic ovary syndromes /