OBJECTIVES: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is highly prevalent globally, with a significant impact on the health burden of the mother and the child. However, there is scarce literature on the recent economic burden of GDM, and hence, this study aimed to assess the economic burden of GDM in the last five years.

METHODS: A targeted literature review was conducted in PubMed to identify English-published studies reporting the economic burden or costs related to GDM from the last five years (Dec 2018 - Dec 2023). Only full papers were included. Data on cost analysis, healthcare utilization, and other cost-related parameters for pregnant women with or without GDM were extracted.

RESULTS: A total of 1014 records were identified, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review for analysis. The studies included were from USA (n=2), Australia (n=2), China (n=2), Mexico (n=1), Taiwan (n=1), and Italy (n=1). The mean age of the pregnant women across studies was around 33 years. Five studies reported total expenditure for pregnant women with and without GDM ranging from 11% to 95% increase in expenditure for women with GDM. This increased expenditure was due to diagnosis and treatment costs, hospital visits (emergency and outpatient), inpatient hospitalizations, follow-up costs, pharmacological costs, and delivery related costs. Furthermore, a study reported an additional USD 5,800 for mothers with GDM, considering productivity loss, absenteeism, and presenteeism while accounting for the economic burden from a societal perspective. Two studies reported total inpatient costs, which are about 15% higher for women with GDM.

CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of GDM for costs related to pregnancy and childbirth is substantial. Future research also addressing long-term consequences from a holistic perspective is recommended.