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New gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis guidelines

Did you know that Australia has just updated its guidelines for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) diagnosis and management? 🇦🇺
These changes aim to provide even better, more targeted care for women and their babies.
The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS) released these new recommendations on June 23, 2025, after a decade of research and expert consensus. They “went live” in many services at the beginning of July.

📈 What’s Changed in GDM Diagnosis?

The new ADIPS guidelines introduce slightly higher blood glucose thresholds for diagnosis. This means fewer women at low risk may be diagnosed, allowing healthcare resources to be focused on those who need it most.

New diagnostic criteria (using a 75g 2-hour OGTT):

* Fasting plasma glucose ≥5.3−6.9 mmol/L
* 1-hour plasma glucose ≥10.6 mmol/L
* 2-hour plasma glucose ≥9.0−11.0 mmol/L
These changes aim to strike a better balance, ensuring appropriate care without over-medicalising pregnancies.

 

🤝 Tailored Screening & Collaborative Care

The updated GDM guidelines also emphasise:
* Earlier screening for at-risk women: If you have risk factors (e.g., previous GDM, obesity, family history), your doctor may recommend an HbA1c test in the first trimester.
* Continued routine screening: All women not already diagnosed with diabetes will still undergo a 75g 2-hour OGTT at 24-28 weeks’ gestation.
* A united approach: For the first time, leading Australian experts across various fields have collaborated on these national guidelines, improving consistency and clarity in GDM care.
This means a more individualised and comprehensive approach to managing your pregnancy health.

🎯 Treatment Targets & Ongoing Management

While the diagnostic thresholds have shifted, the treatment targets for managing GDM remain largely consistent to ensure the best outcomes for mum and baby.
General target blood glucose levels for GDM management (as advised by your healthcare team):
* Fasting: <5.3 mmol/L
* 1-hour post-meal: ≤7.4 mmol/L
* 2-hours post-meal: ≤6.7 mmol/L
Remember, the cornerstone management for GDM is healthy eating, regular physical activity, and consistent blood glucose monitoring.

DO YOU NEED MORE HELP?

Our specialist maternal health-GDM dietitians are able to tailor a program to support you to adapt guideline recommendations to your lifestyle and preferences. Read here to learn more about how we work. If you need support, please make an appointment to help you achieve your goals. 

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