The World Health Organization will launch new guidelines for pregnant women with non-communicable diseases
The World Health Organization is developing new guidelines to improve the care of pregnant and postpartum women with non-communicable diseases. With these recommendations from It aims to address a growing global health concern: the emergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity among pregnant and postpartum women. To address this issue, the World Health Organization will convene a team of experts on June 30, 2026, to ensure that the new medical guidelines can actually be integrated into real-world healthcare systems. Experts will also provide guidance on the dissemination and implementation of new and upcoming clinical guidelines on maternal and perinatal health and noncommunicable diseases, and support their integration into existing WHO resources.
How non-communicable diseases affect women during pregnancy
The World Health Organization highlights the growing concern about pregnant women being affected by this disease Noncommunicable diseases such as diabetesHigh blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and other long-term health problems. While these conditions may already be present in some pregnancies, others may develop during them.
According to the World Health Organization, noncommunicable diseases are a major factor in the deterioration of health among women during reproductive age. In addition, they are major contributors to morbidity and mortality during pregnancy and childbirth.
“The impact is particularly large in low- and middle-income countries, where most maternal deaths occur and where noncommunicable diseases are an increasing driver of poor health outcomes. Global evidence also shows a clear shift in the causes of maternal death. The increasing share is now due to indirect causes, many of which are linked to noncommunicable diseases. Today, indirect causes account for about 23% of maternal deaths worldwide, making them the second leading cause after bleeding,” WHO notes.
Non-communicable diseases during pregnancy do not only affect the mother in the short term; They create a cycle of health issues for both mother and baby.
Short term effect
Pregnant women are at greater risk of preeclampsia, emergency cesarean sections, and dangerous high blood pressure. In addition, the baby is at greater risk of being born prematurely, being born dangerously small, or larger than expected for gestational age, and often requiring neonatal intensive care.
Long term effect
Women who suffer from noncommunicable diseases during pregnancy are at high risk of developing permanent and worsening chronic problems such as cardiovascular disease later in life. Their children are also more likely to develop obesity and chronic noncommunicable diseases as they grow into adulthood.
The first set of guidelines will be released in 2025, focusing on the management of sickle cell anemia and diabetes during pregnancy. However, a big question remains about how these rules will be put into practice. In poor countries, there are not enough specialist doctors such as endocrinologists or maternal-fetal experts to deal with these complex cases. For many women, standard pregnancy checkups (prenatal care) are their only contact with a doctor. Currently, healthcare systems fail to use these visits to screen for and treat noncommunicable diseases, meaning that chronic diseases are often overlooked.
On June 30, 2026, the World Health Organization is hosting a virtual meeting with leading medical experts to bridge the gap between theory and reality. This expert group will focus on ensuring that the new clinical guidelines are realistic and adaptable to underfunded healthcare systems and finding ways to integrate noncommunicable disease screening and care directly into existing pregnancy and childbirth services.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
