Continuous glucose monitoring in gestational diabetes mellitus: hope or hype?

The screening, diagnosis and management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have evolved over time. Similarly, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has advanced in parallel: from intermittent to real-time monitoring, shorter to longer wear-time and poor to increased precision. Thus, CGM has replaced multiple glucose fingerstick testing in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), including pregnant women with T1D. Despite its advantages, the uptake of CGM in women with GDM remains limited. Doubts persist over its cost, accuracy and optimal utilisation, besides there is paucity of evidence supporting its use in both diagnosis and management. This review summarises the current clinical evidence, benefits and limitations of using CGM in pregnant women with GDM. Like T1D, only larger pointed studies and randomised controlled trials will clarify the value of CGM in GDM.