QUICK REFERENCE FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
MANAGEMENT OF
DIABETES IN PREGNANCY
Ministry of Health Malaysian Endocrine Perinatal Society of Family Medicine Academy of
Malaysia & Metabolic Society Malaysia Specialists Medicine Malaysia
Association of
Malaysia
QUICK REFERENCE FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES IN PREGNANCY
KEY MESSAGES
1. Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with risks to the woman and to the
developing fetus.
2. Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) based on risk factors using
75 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) should be done at booking.
3. Overt diabetes in pregnancy should be managed as pre-existing diabetes.
4. Pre-conception care of women with pre-existing diabetes which involve a
multidisciplinary team should be fully implemented in all healthcare facilities.
5. Supplement of 5 mg folic acid per day should be given to women with diabetes
who plan to become pregnant at least three months prior to conception and
continue until 12 weeks of gestation.
6. Pregnant women at risk of GDM and those with diabetes should be given
individualised medical nutrition therapy (MNT) which includes
carbohydrate-controlled meal plan and monitoring of gestational weight gain.
7. Options of treatment for diabetes in pregnancy include MNT, metformin and
insulin therapy.
8. Women with pre-existing diabetes should have ultrasound scans for dating,
structural anatomy and growth.
9. Timing and mode of delivery in pre-existing diabetes and GDM should be
individualised, taking into consideration the estimated fetal weight and obstetric
factors.
10. In women with history of GDM, OGTT should be performed at six weeks after
delivery to detect diabetes and prediabetes. If negative, annual screening should
be performed.
This Quick Reference provides key messages and a summary of the main
recommendations in the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Management of
Diabetes in Pregnancy.
Details of the evidence supporting these recommendations can be found in the
above CPG, available on the following websites:
Ministry of Health Malaysia : www.moh.gov.my
Academy of Medicine Malaysia : www.acadmed.org.my
Malaysian Endocrine & Metabolic Society : www.mems.my
Perinatal Society of Malaysia : www.perinatal-malaysia.org
Family Medicine Specialists Association of Malaysia : www.fms-malaysia.org.my
CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES SECRETARIAT
Malaysia Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS)
Medical Development Division
Ministry of Health Malaysia
4th Floor, Block E1, Parcel E, 62590 Putrajaya
Tel : +603-88831229 E-mail : htamalaysia@moh.gov.my
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QUICK REFERENCE FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES IN PREGNANCY
ALGORITHM A: SCREENING AND DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES
IN PREGNANCY
SCREENING*
• Women at risk to develop GDM**: at booking/as early as possible
• Women age ≥25 with no other risk factors: at 24-28 weeks of gestation
75 g Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
(OGTT)
OGTT results
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG): ≥5.1 mmol/L
OR
2-hours postprandial (2-HPP) ≥7.8 mmol/L
YES NO
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Repeat OGTT at
(GDM) 24-28 week of gestation
YES
FPG ≥5.1 mmol/L OR 2-HPP ≥7.8 mmol/L
NO
Exclude GDM
*Overt DM is suspected in the presence of at least one of the following:
o FPG ≥7.0 mmol/L
o Random plasma glucose (RPG) ≥11.1 mmol/L
• However, the diagnosis of overt DM should be confirmed with a second test (FPG/RPG/OGTT).
** Presence of any risk factors:
• Body mass index >27 kg/m2 • Bad obstetric history
• Previous history of GDM • Glycosuria ≥2+ on two occasions
• First degree relative with diabetes mellitus • Current obstetric problems (essential hypertension,
• History of macrosomia (birth weight >4 kg) pregnancy-induced hypertension, polyhydramnios
and current use of corticosteroids)
HbA1c alone is not a useful alternative to OGTT as a diagnostic test for GDM.
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QUICK REFERENCE FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES IN PREGNANCY
RISK FACTORS OF GDM
• Body mass index >27 kg/m 2
• Bad obstetric history
• Previous history of GDM • Glycosuria ≥2+ on two occasions
• First degree relative with DM • Current obstetric problems (essential
• History of macrosomia (birth weight hypertension, pregnancy-induced
>4 kg) hypertension, polyhydramnios and current
use of corticosteroids)
PRECONCEPTION CARE
• Preconception care, provided by a multidisciplinary team, consists of:
o discussion on timeline for pregnancy planning
o lifestyle advice (diet, physical activities, smoking cessation and optimal body weight)
o folic acid supplementation
o appropriate contraception
o full medication review (discontinue potentially teratogenic medications)
o retinal and renal screening
o relevant blood investigations
• Women with pre-existing diabetes should be informed of the glycaemic control targets
and empowered to achieve control before conception. They are also counselled on the
risk and expected management approaches during pregnancy.
SELF-MONITORING OF BLOOD GLUCOSE
• Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) should be done in diabetes in pregnancy. The
blood glucose targets should be as the following:
o fasting or preprandial: ≤5.3 mmol/L
o 1-hour postprandial: ≤7.8 mmol/L
o 2-hour postprandial: ≤6.7 mmol/L
• The frequency of SMBG should be individualised based on mode of treatment and
glycaemic control.
TIMING FOR SELF-MONITORING OF BLOOD GLUCOSE
Timing of SMBG & Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Mode of treatment Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post/Pre-bed
Diet only
OAD or single dose insulin
Multiple dose insulin
MANAGEMENT IN PRE-EXISTING DIABETES
• Low dose aspirin supplementation (75-150 mg daily) should be given to women with
pre-existing diabetes from 12 weeks of gestation until term.
• In women with pre-existing diabetes,
o retinal assessment should be performed at booking and repeated at least once
throughout the pregnancy
o renal assessment should be performed at booking; those with pre-existing renal
disease should be managed in a combined clinic
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QUICK REFERENCE FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES IN PREGNANCY
METFORMIN THERAPY
• In GDM, metformin should be offered when blood glucose targets are not met by
modification in diet and exercise within 1–2 weeks.
• Metformin should be continued in women who are already on the treatment before
pregnancy.
INSULIN THERAPY
• Insulin should be initiated when:
o blood glucose targets are not met after MNT and metformin therapy
o metformin is contraindicated or unacceptable
o FPG ≥7.0 mmol/L at diagnosis (with or without metformin)
o FPG of 6.0-6.9 mmol/L with complications such as macrosomia or polyhydramnios
(start insulin immediately, with or without metformin).
• Human insulins are the preferred choice in pregnant patients who need insulin therapy.
• Both rapid and long acting (basal) insulin analogues are as efficacious as human insulin
in pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes and GDM.
• Insulin analogues are associated with fewer incidences of hypoglycaemia.
FETAL SURVEILLANCE USING ULTRASOUND SCAN
TIMING PARAMETERS
• Early scan is performed to:
11-14 weeks o confirm gestational age using crown-rump length measurement
of gestation o assess for major structural malformation including acrania and
anencephaly
18-20 weeks • Detailed structural anatomy scan which includes the spine and heart
of gestation (four-chamber, outflow tract and three-vessel views)
28-36 weeks • Serial growth scan is performed every four weeks to assess fetal
of gestation growth and amniotic fluid volume.
• The rate of fetal growth should be used to facilitate decisions with
treatment, and timing and mode of delivery.
REFERRAL
• Pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes and women with GDM who have poor
glycaemic control or fetal complications should be referred to secondary or tertiary care.
TIMING AND MODE OF DELIVERY
• In pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes with:
o no complications, deliver between 37+0 and 38+6 weeks
o maternal or fetal complications, deliver before 37+0 weeks
• In women with GDM:
o on diet alone with no complications, deliver before 40+0 weeks
o on oral antidiabetic agents or insulin, deliver between 37+0 and 38+6 weeks
o with maternal or fetal complications, deliver before 37+0 weeks
• Mode of delivery should be individualised, taking into consideration the estimated fetal
weight and obstetric factors.
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QUICK REFERENCE FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES IN PREGNANCY
MEDICATION TABLE
Oral Antidiabetic Agents
Drugs Formulations Minimum Dose Maximum dose
Metformin Metformin 500 mg tablet Initial dose 500 mg OD 1000 mg TDS
Usual dose 1500 mg OD
Metformin SR 850 mg Usual dose 850 mg BD 850 mg TDS
Metformin XR 500 mg/ 750 mg Initial dose 500 mg OD 2000 mg OD
Usual dose 1500 mg OD
Insulin
Types of Insulin Onset of Peak Action Duration of Timing of Administration of
preparation Action (hours) Action (hours) Insulin
PRANDIAL
Short Acting, Regular 30-60 min 2-4 6-10 30 min before meal
Actrapid
Humulin R
Insugen R
Insuman R
Rapid Analogues 0-20 min 1-3 3-5 5-15 min immediately
Aspart before/after meals
Lispro
BASAL
Intermediate-acting, NPH 1-2 hour 4-8 8-12 Prebreakfast/ Prebed
Insulatard
Humulin N
Insugen N
Insuman N
Long Acting Analogues 30-60 min Less Peak 16-24 Same time everyday
Glargine (Flexible once daily injection)
Determir
PREMIXED INSULIN
Mixtard 30 30 min Dual 18-23 30-60 min before meals
Humulin 30/70 30 min Dual 16-18 30-60 min before meals
Novomix 30 10-20 min 1-4 16-20 5-15 min before meals
Humalog mix 25/75 15 min 0.25-2.5 16-18 5-15 min before meals
Humalog mix 50/50 15 min 0.25-2.5 16-18 5-15 min before meals
Initiating Insulin Therapy in Pregnancy
Glycaemic abnormality Suggested Insulin Type and Dose
FPG >5.3 mmol/L Start 0.2 units/kg of intermediate-acting insulin at bedtime,
increase by 2 units every 3 days until targets are reached.
1-hr postprandial >7.8 mmol/L Start 6 units of short-acting insulin, increase by 2 units every
2-hr postprandial >6.7 mmol/L 3 days until targets are reached. If preprandial short acting insulin
dose exceeds 16 units TDS, consider adding 6-10 units
intermediate-acting insulin in the morning and titrate accordingly
until targets are achieved.
Estimation of total daily insulin requirement by gestation/trimester
Pregnancy gestation Total daily insulin requirement
1st trimester 0.7 units/kg/day
2nd trimester 0.8 units/kg/day
3rd trimester 0.9 units/kg/day
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QUICK
QUICKREFERENCE
REFERENCEFOR
FORHEALTHCARE
HEALTHCAREPROVIDERS
PROVIDERS MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENTOF
OFDIABETES
DIABETESIN
INPREGNANCY
PREGNANCY
ALGORITHM
ALGORITHMA:B:SCREENING
INTRAPARTUM
ANDGLUCOSE
DIAGNOSISMONITORING
OF DIABETES
FOR DIABETES IN IN
PREGNANCY
PREGNANCY
IN ACTIVE LABOUR
SCREENING*
T2DM or
• T1DM GDM
Women at risk to develop on insulin/
GDM**: at booking/as earlyGDM on diet alone
as possible
metformin
• Women age ≥25 with no other risk factors: at 24-28 weeks of gestation
Start intravenous (IV) Stop subcutaneous
dextrose infusion 75 ginsulin/metformin
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
(OGTT)
Check capillary blood glucose Check CBG 4-hourly
(CBG) OGTT results
1- to 2-hourly
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG): ≥5.1 mmol/L
OR
2-hours postprandial (2-HPP) ≥7.8 mmol/L
Refer to *CBG results
YES NO
(Target: 4.0-7.0 mmol/L)
ALGORITHM C
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Repeat OGTT at
(GDM) 24-28 week of gestation
<4.0 mmol/L 4.0-7.0 mmol/L 7.1-10.0 mmol/L >10.0 mmol/L
YES
FPG ≥5.1 mmol/L OR 2-HPP ≥7.8 mmol/L
NO
• Inform doctor Repeat CBG in 1 hour
immediately Exclude GDM
• If symptomatic,
give bolus IV
dextrose
*Overt DM(20 ml
is suspected in the presence of at least one of the following:
of Continue
o D50%)
FPG ≥7.0 mmol/L NO
• Ifo asymptomatic, monitoring
Random plasma glucose (RPG) ≥11.1 mmol/L
CBG >7.0 mmol/L
• offer nourishing
However, CBG
the diagnosis of overt DM should be confirmed with a second test (FPG/RPG/OGTT).
fluid as previously
• Repeat CBG in
YES
** 30 minutesof
Presence and
any risk factors:
follow CBG • Bad obstetric history
• Body mass index >27 kg/m 2
Start IV insulin infusion
results (*)
• Previous history of GDM • Glycosuria ≥2+ on two occasions
• First degree relative with diabetes mellitus • Current obstetric problems (essential hypertension,
• History of macrosomia (birth weight >4 kg) pregnancy-induced hypertension, polyhydramnios
and current use of corticosteroids)
T1DM : Type 1 diabetes mellitus
HbA1cT2DM
alone :isType
not a 2useful
diabetes mellitus
alternative Refer
to OGTT as a diagnostic test to ALGORITHM C
for GDM.
GDM : Gestational diabetes mellitus
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QUICK REFERENCE FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES IN PREGNANCY
ALGORITHM C: INSULIN INFUSION AND TITRATION
IN ACTIVE LABOUR
Start intravenous (IV) insulin infusion*
Check capillary blood
glucose (CBG) hourly
CBG results
(Target: 4.0-7.0 mmol/L)
<4.0 mmol/L ≥4.0 mmol/L
Titration of insulin infusion:
• Withhold insulin infusion
• Inform doctor immediately CBG (mmol/L) Action
Drop >2.0 from Reduce by 1.0 unit
• If symptomatic, give bolus IV
previous reading
dextrose (20 ml of D50%) 4.0-7.0 Maintain current dose
• If asymptomatic, offer 7.1-8.5 Add 0.5 unit
nourishing fluid 8.6-10.0 Add 1.0 unit
• Repeat CBG in 30 minutes >10.0 Add 2.0 unit
Check CBG in 1 hour
! * IV insulin infusion initiation rate
! • Type 1 diabetes mellitus: 0.01-0.02 unit/kg/hour
! • Type 2 diabetes mellitus/gestational diabetes mellitus: 0.05-0.07 unit/kg/hour
• If requirement exceed 0.1 unit/kg/hour, refer the endocrinologist/physician
