Gestational diabetes mellitus may convert to type 2 diabetes in 30–40% of cases within 10 years.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. 50–60% within 5 years
• D. 10–20% within 20 years

Answer: (A)

This question highlights the elevated long-term risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes after a pregnancy affected by gestational diabetes. A history of GDM signals underlying insulin resistance and beta-cell stress that often persists postpartum. Because of this, a substantial portion of these women will develop type 2 diabetes within about a decade after delivery—roughly 30–40% in many studies. This is why postpartum glucose testing and ongoing metabolic health monitoring are important, with lifestyle interventions to reduce progression risk.

The other options don’t fit the evidence: the risk isn’t as low as 10–20% over a long period, nor as high as 50–60% within a short span like 5 years.