Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects 5–20% of pregnancies globally, depending on diagnostic criteria, and 
is associated with heightened risks of preeclampsia, macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycemia, and progression to type 2 
diabetes mellitus in mothers. Traditional clinic-based management faced barriers including geographic distance, 
limited specialist access, and patient adherence challenges. Telemedicine interventions, which leverage digital 
platforms to deliver real-time monitoring and education, have emerged as promising solutions to optimize maternal
fetal outcomes. This review evaluated the efficacy, accessibility, and maternal-fetal outcomes of telemedicine-based 
interventions for GDM care. This review synthesized peer-reviewed studies from PubMed, Web of Science, and 
Scopus (2012–2025), focusing on randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and meta-analyses addressing 
telemedicine-enabled management of GDM. Telemedicine interventions improved glycemic control, with reported 
mean reductions in fasting blood glucose of 0.4–0.8 mmol/L and HbA1c decreases of up to 0.3% compared with 
standard care. Remote monitoring reduced the need for insulin initiation by 15–25% in some cohorts. Accessibility 
was enhanced through reduced hospital visits and improved patient education, particularly in underserved 
populations. Maternal outcomes included reduced rates of cesarean section and gestational hypertension, while 
neonatal outcomes showed lower incidence of macrosomia and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Challenges 
include digital literacy disparities, data security, and integration into existing health systems. Telemedicine-based 
care for GDM was effective and accessible, offering improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. Future work should 
refine implementation frameworks, address equity gaps, and ensure long-term sustainability.