Carbohydrate metabolism during pregnancy in control subjects and women with gestational diabetes

A study to characterize carbohydrate metabolism abnormalities associated with the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is presented. The study protocol involved the evaluation of six control and 10 women with GDM using an intravenous glucose tolerance test and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp with labeled glucose prior to conception and during early and late gestation. The results showed that decreased peripheral insulin sensitivity is the main metabolic abnormality which is associated with GDM development.