The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first global guidelines specifically for managing diabetes during pregnancy, a condition affecting approximately one in six pregnancies, or 21 million women each year. These guidelines provide a structured approach to reduce serious complications for both mothers and children, including life-threatening conditions such as pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, and birth injuries, as well as long-term risks like type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases. The impact is particularly severe in low- and middle-income countries, where access to specialized care and resources is limited.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that these guidelines are the first to provide a comprehensive standard of care for diabetes in pregnancy, grounded in evidence and responsive to the realities of women’s health needs. The recommendations cover individualized care through diet, physical activity, and blood sugar targets, optimal monitoring both in clinics and at home, personalized medication regimens for type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, and multidisciplinary support for women with pre-existing diabetes.
The guidelines aim to strengthen maternal health and combat noncommunicable diseases by integrating diabetes care into routine antenatal services and ensuring equitable access to essential medicines and technologies. Launched on World Diabetes Day 2025, the release aligns with the campaign theme, “Diabetes across life stages,” which highlights the need for integrated care and supportive policies for all individuals living with diabetes, from children to older adults.
Diabetes remains one of the fastest-growing global health challenges, affecting over 800 million people and contributing to heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and limb amputations. The prevalence has been rising most sharply in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the urgency of providing accessible care and interventions. By emphasizing a life-course approach, WHO’s guidelines and the 2025 campaign aim to ensure that preventive measures, effective management, and supportive environments are available to everyone, protecting health across generations.
