WHO Launches Global Guidelines on Diabetes During Pregnancy on World Diabetes Day. 

Geneva:

On World Diabetes Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled its first-ever global guidelines for managing diabetes during pregnancy, a condition that affects approximately one in six pregnancies worldwide—approximately 21 million women each year. These groundbreaking recommendations aim to address a critical health challenge that impacts both women and their children, offering a much-needed roadmap to prevent serious health complications.

A Growing Global Health Concern

Diabetes during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes, poses significant risks to both the mother and the unborn child. If not effectively managed, it can lead to severe complications such as pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, and birth injuries. In the long term, it also increases the lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases for both the mother and child. The burden of diabetes during pregnancy is particularly high in low- and middle-income countries, where access to specialized care and resources is often limited, exacerbating the health risks.

“This is the first time we have issued a specific standard of care for managing diabetes during pregnancy,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “These guidelines are grounded in the realities of women’s lives and health needs, and they provide clear, evidence-based strategies to deliver high-quality care for every woman, everywhere.”

Key Recommendations for Comprehensive Care

The new WHO guidelines include 27 key recommendations designed to improve the management of diabetes during pregnancy. Among the major highlights are:

• Individualized Care: The guidelines stress the importance of personalized advice regarding diet, physical activity, and blood sugar targets tailored to each woman’s specific condition.
• Optimal Monitoring: WHO recommends that all women with diabetes receive regular blood glucose monitoring, both in clinical settings and at home, to ensure proper management of the condition throughout pregnancy.
• Personalized Treatment: Specific medication regimens are suggested for women with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, especially when pharmacotherapy is necessary to control blood sugar levels.
• Specialized Support: Multidisciplinary care is emphasized for women with pre-existing diabetes, ensuring they receive comprehensive support from a team of healthcare professionals to manage their condition effectively during pregnancy.

A Step Forward for Maternal Health and NCDs

The release of these guidelines represents a significant milestone in improving maternal health globally and in the fight against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). It underscores the importance of integrating diabetes care into routine antenatal services and ensuring that all women—regardless of their socioeconomic status—have equitable access to essential medicines, technologies, and healthcare professionals.

Focus on Diabetes Across Life Stages

The theme of World Diabetes Day 2025, “Diabetes Across Life Stages”, highlights the critical need for integrated care across all phases of life, from childhood to adulthood. Dr. Tedros noted that diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges worldwide, affecting over 800 million people globally. As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the WHO stresses the importance of providing accessible, lifelong care for people living with the condition.

“Every person living with diabetes should have access to integrated care, supportive environments, and policies that promote health, dignity, and self-management,” Dr. Tedros said.

The Urgent Need for Action

The WHO’s new guidelines come at a crucial time as the global diabetes epidemic continues to expand. Diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and lower-limb amputation, with its impacts stretching across generations and healthcare systems. The WHO’s call for urgent action echoes the need for a life-course approach to diabetes prevention, management, and overall well-being—ensuring that no one is left behind, from children and adolescents to older adults.

In conclusion, the launch of these global guidelines on diabetes during pregnancy is a critical step forward in tackling one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. The WHO’s comprehensive, evidence-based approach aims to improve the health outcomes for millions of women and children affected by this condition, fostering a healthier future for generations to come.