WHO Launches Global Guidelines Regarding Diabetes During Pregnancy

JAKARTA - Every November 14 is celebrated World Diabetes Day. On this 2025 anniversary, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its first global guidelines for managing diabetes during pregnancy.

In the WHO report on its official website, Saturday, November 15, 2025, diabetes during pregnancy affects about one in six pregnancies, or 21 million women every year.

Diabetes during pregnancy if not managed effectively, significantly increases the risk of life-threatening conditions such as pre-eclampsia, birth, and birth injuries. This condition also risks increasing type 2 diabetes for life and cardiovascular disease.

Thus, WHO guidelines in overcoming these conditions provide an important roadmap to address its challenges and prevent serious complications for women and children.

"WHO has long had a cure for diabetes and guidance on pregnancy, but this is the first time we have issued a special standard for managing diabetes during pregnancy," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The several guidelines include 27 key recommendations, which emphasize some of the following.

- Individual care: suggestions on diet, physical activity, and blood sugar targets.- Optimal monitoring: all women with diabetes must regularly check their blood glucose, both during clinical visits and at home. - Personalized treatment: special treatment for type 1, type 2 diabetes, and gestationality when pharmacotherapy is needed. - Special support: multidisciplinary care for women with pre-existing diabetes.

These guidelines are based on the realities of women's life and health needs, and provide a clear and evidence-based strategy to provide high-quality care for every woman, anywhere, concluded Tedros.