OBJECTIVE:

To present the most up-to-date concepts of diabetes and pregnancy.

METHOD:

PubMed and lilacs search articles published in english or spanish between 2001 and 2016 with the terms "diabetes mellitus", "gestational diabetes", "diabetes and pregnancy".

RESULTS:

525 articles were found. The overall consensus on the major issues of diabetes and pregnancy is concentrated in the last 27 reviews and 7 clinical guidelines, which are the basis of this review. Gestational diabetes is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, caesarean section, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia and perinatal mortality. It is proven that the first step in the treatment of diabetes is the proper diet and then insulin or metfomine. Glyburide should not be indicated for the management of gestational diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS:

Gestational diabetes continues to be one of the main obstetric complications with a high rate of maternal, neonatal and pediatric morbidity. Treatment should focus on diet as a first step and, if necessary, a pharmacological strategy of metformin and insulin as the only options.