Question 1

What is the Meaning of Insulin Therapy in Pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Insulin therapy in pregnancy involves the exogenous administration of insulin to achieve and maintain euglycemia in pregnant individuals diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus or pre-existing diabetes, aiming to prevent adverse maternal and fetal outcomes associated with hyperglycemia.

Question 2

What is the Context of Insulin Therapy in Pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

This therapy operates within the complex physiological context of pregnancy, where increased insulin resistance, driven by placental hormones like human placental lactogen, cortisol, and progesterone, often challenges pancreatic beta-cell compensatory capacity, leading to hyperglycemia.

Question 3

What is the Significance of Insulin Therapy in Pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Its clinical importance is paramount in mitigating risks such as macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, shoulder dystocia, preeclampsia, and the long-term development of type 2 diabetes in both mother and offspring, thereby optimizing pregnancy outcomes.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of Insulin Therapy in Pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Exogenous insulin acts by binding to insulin receptors on target cells, primarily muscle, adipose tissue, and liver, promoting glucose uptake from the bloodstream, enhancing glycogen synthesis, and inhibiting hepatic glucose production, thereby lowering circulating glucose levels.

Question 5

What is the Application of Insulin Therapy in Pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Insulin is typically administered subcutaneously, often involving multiple daily injections of basal and prandial insulin or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, with dosing meticulously titrated based on frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose levels and dietary intake to achieve specific glycemic targets.

Question 6

What is the Metric of Insulin Therapy in Pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Efficacy is primarily monitored through frequent capillary blood glucose measurements, including fasting and postprandial values, and periodic assessment of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for long-term glycemic control, alongside fetal growth monitoring via ultrasound.

Question 7

What is the Risk of Insulin Therapy in Pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Potential risks include hypoglycemia, maternal weight gain, local injection site reactions, and, less commonly, insulin allergy or lipodystrophy; careful patient education and adherence to prescribed regimens are crucial to minimize these adverse events and ensure patient safety.

Insulin Therapy in Pregnancy

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

What Are the Current Safety Guidelines for GLP-1 Therapy during Pregnancy?