From Lab to Labor: Advancing Diabetes Pregnancy Care

Abstract The global rise in obesity and Type 2 diabetes has led to an increase in pregestational diabetes, significantly raising risks during pregnancy. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia is teratogenic, resulting in adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, with "diabesity" being a critical area of focus for the Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group of North America (DPSG-NA). Since its inception in 1997, DPSG-NA has aimed to improve pregnancy outcomes in diabetes by advancing research, shaping medical policies, and influencing professional practices. The biennial DPSG-NA meetings have driven research progress, addressing controversies in GDM screening, diagnosis, and treatment, and have evolved to include discussions on congenital malformations, perinatal mortality, and cost-effective diabetes management. The 18th biennial meeting in 2025, titled "From Lab to Labor: Advancing Diabetes Pregnancy Care," will emphasize nutrition in pregnancy and aim to support early- stage investigators (ESIs) in the field. Key objectives of the meeting include: 1) supporting ESIs through planning and networking opportunities, exposing ESIs to groundbreaking work, fostering new projects and addressing knowledge gaps in diabetes and pregnancy research, 2) presenting of the latest research in diabetes and nutrition in pregnancy by well-established investigators, facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering collaboration among early-career and experienced investigators, and 3) disseminating findings, especially to practitioners treating underserved populations, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of challenges and solutions in managing diabetes in diverse populations. Efforts to encourage participation from underserved regions will enhance the scope of discussions, while collaborative research presentations and abstract submissions will stimulate further advancements in the field. The meeting's outcomes will be shared through peer-reviewed publications, contributing to a robust research community focused on improving outcomes for pregnancies complicated by diabetes.