Topic: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Mechanisms, Risk Prediction, and Long-Term Consequences

Background and Rationale:

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), defined as glucose intolerance of varying severity with onset or first recognition during pregnancy, has become a critical global health challenge, driven by rising obesity rates and advanced maternal age. Despite its high prevalence, many risk factors and the underlying molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Additionally, current diagnostic protocols are often burdensome or prone to underdiagnosis. This Special Issue seeks to elucidate the multifactorial etiopathogenesis of GDM, develop robust early risk prediction models, and investigate the lifelong health trajectories of both mothers and their offspring.

Objectives:

● To highlight recent advances in GDM risk prediction and the development of high-precision diagnostic tools.

● To explore emerging insights into the pathophysiology of GDM, integrating molecular mechanisms with systems biology approaches.

● To characterize the long-term health consequences of GDM for both mothers and their offspring.

● To develop multidisciplinary strategies for optimizing life course health and mitigating the burden of GDM-associated chronic disease

Topics Covered:

● Evolving epidemiology and emerging risk factors for GDM.

● Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying GDM pathogenesis.

● Novel biomarkers and data-driven models for GDM risk prediction and early diagnosis.

● Effectiveness of lifestyle, pharmacological, and technology-enabled interventions for GDM.

● Long-term maternal health trajectories and offspring developmental outcomes following GDM, including their underlying mechanisms.

● Effective life course health management strategies for women with prior GDM.

● Strategies to mitigate health disparities and bridge translational gaps in GDM care.

Target Audience:

This Special Issue invites contributions from a global, multidisciplinary research community, including clinicians and researchers in endocrinology, obstetrics and gynecology, obesity medicine, hepatology, epidemiology, public health, and health policy, who are committed to improving perinatal outcomes and long-term intergenerational health.