Health care professionals Perspective regarding GDM in a resource constraint society, a study from Pakistan.Author list: Raheela Naseem, Musarrat Riaz, Nida sajid, Asmat Nawaz.Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) offers an important opportunity for prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The prevalence of GDM is increasing in Pakistan, however there is lack of consensus among health care professionals regarding GDM care in Pakistan. Objective: To assess the practices regarding various aspects of diagnosis and management of GDM amongst health care professionals (HCPs) involved in the care of pregnant women. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in various primary, secondary and tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan. A self-completion questionnaire was administered to family physicians, Internists, obstetricians, diabetologists and endocrinologists after taking the consent for participation. Participants age, gender, number of years in practice and speciality was noted. The questionnaire included questions regarding various aspects of diagnosis, management and follow up practices regarding GDM. Knowledge regarding existing guidelines of GDM were also assessed. Data was entered in SPSS version20.0 and analyzed. Results: A total of 250 HCPs participated in the study out of which 32% were family physicians, 38% obstetricians and 30% diabetologist and endocrinologists. Although 80% of respondents were screening for GDM only 12% FPs and 30% obstetricians were practicing universal screening for GDM. Rest of them opted for risk based screening. For diagnosis of GDM 50% family physicians and 39% Obstetricians used either fasting or random blood glucose levels and only 45% HCPs use OGTT. Some of the HCPs were using more than one parameter for GDM diagnosis. Majority of HCPs screened during third trimester followed by second and first trimester. Metformin alone was prescribed by 52.4% respondents, while combination of metformin and insulin was used by 24.6%. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was advised by majority of HCPs and 55% of respondents recommend at least once weekly blood glucose monitoring for GDM. Post-partum follow up was done by 36% of HCPS. Conclusions: There is lack of uniformity among health care professionals regarding diagnosis and management of GDM in Pakistan. There is a need to develop local guidelines regarding GDM in Pakistan so that GDM care can be optimized in Pakistan