Published online Aug 15, 2021. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v12.i8.1233
Peer-review started: January 7, 2021
First decision: May 3, 2021
Revised: May 11, 2021
Accepted: July 7, 2021
Article in press: July 7, 2021
Published online: August 15, 2021
Processing time: 214 Days and 0.2 Hours
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a systemic chronic metabolic disorder characterized by increased insulin resistance and/or β- cell defects. It affects all ages from the foetal life, neonates, childhood to late adulthood. Gestational diabetes is a critical risk factor for congenital heart diseases (CHDs). Moreover, the risk increases with low maternal education, high body mass index at conception, undiagnosed pre-gestational diabetes, inadequate antenatal care, improper diabetes control, and maternal smoking during pregnancy. Maternal DM significantly affects the foetal heart and foetal–placental circulation in both structure and function. Cardiac defects, myocardial hypertrophy are three times more prevalent in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). Antenatal evaluation of the cardiac function and structures can be performed with foetal electrocardiography and echocardiography. Postnatal cardiac evaluation can be performed with natal and postnatal electrocardiography and echocardiography, detection of early atherosclerotic changes by measuring aortic intima-media thickness, and retinal vascular changes by retinal photography. Ameliorating the effects of diabetes during pregnancy on the offspring depends mainly on pregestational and gestational diabetes prevention. However, other measures to reduce the risk, such as using medi
Core Tip: Gestational diabetes mellitus (DM) has a significant impact on cardiac function and structure, both antenatally and postnatally, an effect that could persist till late adulthood. Therefore, prevention, early detection, and strict management of gestational DM could help to minimize the risk of cardiac disorders in the foetus, neonates, children, and even adults.