Progress in Research on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver and Gestational Diabetes

Although there is ample evidence that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with impaired glucose homeostasis in the body, the clinical significance of NAFLD in pregnant women has not been established. Current studies have shown that women with NAFLD during early pregnancy have a significantly increased incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy; whereas women with a history of GDM have a significantly increased probability of developing NAFLD in the future. Both may be a manifestation of an etiology in both systems, reflecting the impaired glucose homeostasis and the continuity of insulin resistance. For women with NAFLD found in early pregnancy, it is recommended to closely monitor blood glucose during pregnancy, and if necessary, early intervention to strengthen prenatal and postnatal care. The presence of GDM at a young age in women may be an early marker that helps to screen out women at higher risk of developing a disease before significant metabolic disease, and is of great significance in reducing associated morbidity and mortality.