Gestational diabetes has become more common over time, affecting 6.5 percent of all those who gave birth in 2024. The National Board of Health and Welfare is now issuing new recommendations and updated threshold values for the condition. According to official sources, the proportion of gestational diabetes diagnoses varies between regions, from 2 to 16 percent. Only 7 out of 21 regions follow the National Board of Health and Welfare's previously recommended threshold values for diagnosis. Most regions previously had significantly higher threshold values than the National Board of Health and Welfare's previous recommendations, which followed the World Health Organization (WHO). Sofia von Malortie, unit manager at the National Board of Health and Welfare, described how different regions use different threshold values and measure in slightly different ways, making it difficult to know the true proportion of cases. She noted that this can mean pregnant women with similar blood sugar levels receive a diagnosis and follow-up in one region but not in another, and the purpose of the new recommendations is that more people should receive support in time and care should become more equal throughout the country.
The new recommendations mean that pregnant women with increased risk can be offered testing earlier in pregnancy. The new recommendations apply to those with increased risk, such as those with a BMI over 30, previous birth of a large baby, or first-degree relatives with diabetes. The specific updated threshold values included in the new recommendations have not been disclosed, nor has the exact timeline for implementing them across Sweden. Identifying gestational diabetes is important because it increases the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, such as preeclampsia, cesarean section, and the baby being born larger than normal. Sofia von Malortie described that if the fetus is exposed to high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, it grows more, often becoming large in a disproportionate way, in the shoulders and upper body.
It can mean that pregnant women with similar blood sugar levels receive a diagnosis and follow-up in one region, but not in another. The purpose of our new recommendations is that more people should receive support in time and that care should become more equal throughout the country.
Those who have had gestational diabetes have a higher risk of later developing type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is closely linked to lifestyle habits and societal development, with more sedentary living and dietary habits. Sofia von Malortie described this as a snowball effect, where unhealthy patterns can perpetuate across generations. The National Board of Health and Welfare says those who receive a diagnosis of gestational diabetes according to the updated threshold values should receive treatment if needed. However, the specific preventive measures or treatments recommended for gestational diabetes remain unclear. There may be a dark figure of unreported cases of gestational diabetes, and Sofia von Malortie described how patients who received a diagnosis and follow-up in one region might not receive it after moving to another, which naturally creates worry among them. She emphasized that when the condition is detected in time, there are good opportunities to work with preventive measures, and if more pregnant women are tested, it can provide health benefits over time through fewer complications and reduced risk of future illness for both mothers and children. She added that pregnancy is an important time to early identify risks and offer support regarding, for example, lifestyle habits. Sofia von Malortie described that treating gestational diabetes can lead to healthier mothers and children, affecting the entire family's health for many years ahead. How many additional pregnant women are expected to be tested or diagnosed due to the new recommendations is unknown, as is how the National Board of Health and Welfare will ensure all regions adopt them.
When the condition is detected in time, there are good opportunities to work with preventive measures. If more pregnant women are tested, it can provide health benefits over time through fewer complications and reduced risk of future illness for both mothers and children.
Pregnancy is an important time to early identify risks and offer support regarding, for example, lifestyle habits.
To know how large a proportion has it is part of the problem. Different regions use different threshold values and measure in slightly different ways.
Sofia von Malortie tells about people who received a diagnosis and follow-up during a pregnancy in one region, but after moving to another did not receive it during the next pregnancy.
It naturally creates a worry among those patients.
If the fetus is exposed to a high blood sugar value during pregnancy, then the fetus grows more. These fetuses often become large in a disproportionate way, in the shoulders and upper body.
It becomes like a snowball effect.
But it also means that if you can reverse the development. If you can treat this and get a healthier mother, then you can get a healthier child. Then you affect the entire family's health for many years ahead.