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Medical Definition of Gestational diabetes
1. A glucose intolerance which occurs in pregnancy, usually noticed between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. In most cases the blood glucose level returns to normal after delivery. Although the symptoms of this form of diabetes are mild and nonserious for the mother, elevated blood glucose in the mother has been associated with an increased risk of foetal and newborn death. Risk factors for gestational diabetes include maternal age over 25, family history of diabetes, obesity, birth weight over 9 lb in a previous delivery or a history for congenital birth defect or death, in a previous newborn. (27 Sep 1997)