The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first global guidelines for managing diabetes during pregnancy — a condition affecting nearly one in six pregnancies, or 21 million women each year. These recommendations offer a much-needed framework to reduce severe health risks for mothers and their babies.
Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy can lead to complications such as pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, and difficult deliveries. It also increases the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases for both the mother and child. The impact is especially severe in low- and middle-income countries, where access to specialized maternal care remains limited despite high need.
Although WHO has long provided guidance on diabetes and pregnancy separately, this is the first comprehensive standard dedicated entirely to diabetes management during pregnancy. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the recommendations reflect real-world challenges women face and outline practical, evidence-based steps for ensuring quality care everywhere.
The guidelines include 27 key recommendations focused on:
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Individualized care, including diet, physical activity, and glucose targets
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Robust monitoring, with regular blood glucose checks at health facilities and at home
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Tailored treatment, covering appropriate medication for type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes
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Specialized multidisciplinary support, especially for women with pre-existing diabetes
Released on World Diabetes Day 2025, the guidelines align with the year’s theme, “Diabetes across life stages,” which calls for integrated, accessible care and supportive environments for everyone living with diabetes.
Diabetes affects more than 800 million people globally and remains one of the fastest-growing health threats. It is a major cause of heart disease, kidney failure, vision loss and amputations. Its burden continues to rise, particularly in low- and middle-income regions where access to essential medicines and care is still inadequate.
This year’s campaign urges action across all age groups, highlighting the need for lifelong prevention, treatment and support so that no one is left behind
