Commentary: Controversies in management of diabetes from preconception to the postnatal period

Chappell and Germain comment on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 's (NICE) new guidelines regarding on the management of diabetes from preconception to the postnatal period. They opine that the recommendation that screening for gestational diabetes should be by clinical risk factor alone is more controversial. The authors acknowledge the poor sensitivity and specificity of this approach compared with universal administration of oral glucose tolerance tests. Despite of this, NICE recommendations will prove beneficial in ensuring that women with pre-existing or gestational diabetes receive comprehensive care that aims to minimize risks to mother and baby.