MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY IN PREGNANT WOMEN WITH DIABETES

Abstract

Introduction: in recent years, there has been a worldwide increase in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes (GD) in pregnant women, with the estimated prevalence of GD being 14% globally and 10,36% in Argentina according to the Latin American Diabetes Association (LADA) diagnostic criteria. An adequate dietary plan in association with a healthy lifestyle change and glucose self-monitoring, are the cornerstones to achieve the glycemic goal in two thirds of GD cases. Despite its importance and being broadly advised in clinical practice, there is limited scientific information regarding the optimal dietary prescription to improve results for both mother and child. Objectives: to analyze the nutritional aspects of the treatment of GD and to investigate what the recommendations would be to achieve the aforesaid outcomes, through the analysis of current scientific evidence. Although there is heterogenous evidence from randomized controlled trials, it comes out from these studies that early intervention with diet, exercise and advice on healthy lifestyle during the first trimester or early in the second trimester, may decrease the risk of GD. Nutritional treatment in GD is based on the control of the quantity and distribution of carbohydrates to attain optimal glycemic control without hypoglycemia or ketosis. Caloric intake is as well important for proper weight gain.

Keywords

• dieta
• nutrición
• embarazo
• diabetes.