WHO to Update Guidelines on Diagnosis and Classification of Hyperglycaemia in Pregnancy in 2026

About one in six live births-around 21 million annually-are affected by hyperglycaemia during pregnancy, including pre-existing diabetes, diabetes first diagnosed during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Distinguishing these conditions can be challenging, particularly where undiagnosed diabetes is common.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to update its 2013 recommendations on the diagnostic criteria and classification of hyperglycaemia first detected during pregnancy, with revised guidance expected in 2026. The update reflects emerging evidence on screening, diagnosis, and classification approaches, addressing the growing global burden of diabetes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

In November 2025, WHO published its first recommendations on care for women with diabetes during pregnancy. The forthcoming update is part of its broader efforts to strengthen the management of non-communicable diseases during pregnancy and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes worldwide.

Hyperglycaemia during pregnancy is associated with increased risks of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, stillbirth, macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycaemia, birth injury, and other long-term complications. Early identification and accurate classification of hyperglycaemia during pregnancy are therefore critical to enable appropriate care and reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.

Given the substantial and growing global burden of diabetes, with most cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries, guidance that is applicable across diverse resource settings is needed.  World Health Organization (WHO) published its first recommendations on care for women with diabetes during pregnancy with a view to improving maternal and newborn outcomes worldwide.

The updated recommendations set to come out in 2026 will include updates on the 2013 recommendations on the diagnostic criteria and classification of hyperglycaemia first detected during pregnancy. New evidence has emerged regarding approaches to screening, diagnosis, and classification, highlighting the need to revisit this guidance. Revising these recommendations has been prioritized as part of WHO’s broader efforts to address non-communicable diseases in pregnancy and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes worldwide.

A Guideline Development Group (GDG) meeting will be held 20–24 October 2026 to review the evidence base on the screening and diagnosis of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. In keeping with the requirements of the WHO Compliance, Risk Management and Ethics Office, we are posting online short biographies of the GDG members. The listed candidates have also submitted a declaration of interest form stating any conflict of interests. WHO has applied its internal processes to ensure that the performance of the above tasks by members of this group will be transparent and without any significant conflict of interests (academic, financial or other) that could affect the credibility of the guideline.