Introduccion : el tamizaje y diagnostico de la diabetes gestacional ha sido tema de controversia. Se han propuesto muchos criterios diagnosticos pero ninguno basado en resultados adversos del embarazo. Actualmente se han propuesto algunas pautas los resultados del estudio Hyperglycemia Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO). Objetivo: precisar el estado actual del tamizaje y el diagnostico de la diabetes gestacional. Metodologia: se revisaron las bases de datos PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost y OvidSP en busqueda de estudios clinicos y epidemiologicos, revisiones sistematicas, consensos y metaanalisis con las palabras claves tomadas del Mesh: gestational diabetes, screening, diagnosis, en el periodo comprendido entre 2005 – 2011. Criterios de inclusion fueron tamizaje y diagnostico. Resultados: se identificaron 223 estudios, de los cuales 61 fueron considerados adecuados para alcanzar el objetivo de la revision. Los beneficios del tamizaje han sido revisados por grupos de Canada, Reino Unido y Estados Unidos y todos han concluido que la evidencia es insuficiente para hacer una recomendacion puntual. El estudio HAPO demostro que existe fuerte asociacion entre los niveles de glucosa materna y resultados adversos del embarazo, ello sirvio de base para un nuevo conjunto de criterios diagnosticos, propuestos por International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG). Conclusion: el tamizaje mas recomendado es el universal. Los nuevos criterios de la IADPSG proponen que el diagnostico debe realizarse con una glucemia en ayunas entre 92 y 126 mg/dL (5.1 – 7.0 mmol/L) en la primera consulta prenatal, o con al menos uno de los siguientes valores anormales, en una prueba de tolerancia oral con 75 gramos de glucosa realizada entre las 24 - 28 semanas de gestacion: glucemia en ayunas ≥ 92 mg/dL (≥ 5.1 mmol/L), ≥180 mg/dl (≥ 10.0 mmol/dL) a la hora o ≥153 mg/dL (≥ 8.5 mmol/dL) la dos horas. Debe buscarse diabetes pre-existente en la primera consulta prenatal. Rev.cienc.biomed. 2011; 2 (2): 297- 304 PALABRAS CLAVES Diabetes gestacional. Tamizaje, Diagnostico, Hiperglucemia SUMMARY Introduction: Screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes (GDM) has been controversial. It have been proposed many diagnostic criteria but none of them based on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Currently it has reached a consensus based on the results of The Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes (HAPO) study. Objective: To review current status of screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Methodology: PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost and OvidSP databases were searched for clinical and epidemiological studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis using the key words taken from the Mesh “gestational diabetes”, “screening”, “diagnosis” carried out from 2005 to 2011. Results: 223 studies were identified, of which 61 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The benefits of screening have been reviewed by task forces in Canada, the UK, and the USA and all concluded that the evidence is insufficient to make a specific recommendation. The HAPO study demonstrated that there is a continuous association of maternal glucose levels with adverse pregnancy outcomes and served as the basis for a new set of diagnostic criteria proposed by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG). Conclusion: The currently recommended screening is universal. The new criteria of the IADPSG propose that the diagnosis must be realized a fasting glucose level is less than 126 mg / dL (5.1 - 7.0 mmol/L) but greater than 92 mg/dL also gestational diabetes is diagnosed at the first prenatal control or with at least an abnormal blood glucose in oral tolerance test with 75 g of glucose performed between 24 - 28 weeks of gestation: ≥ 92 mg/dL (≥ 5.1 mmol/L) fasting, ≥ 180 mg/dL (≥ 10.0 mmol/dL) at one hour or ≥ 153 mg/dL ((≥ 8.5 mmol/dL ) at two hours after. Women should be screen for overt diabetes at their initial prenatal visit. Rev.cienc.biomed. 2011; 2 (2): 297-304 KEY WORDS Gestational diabetes. Screening. Diagnosis. Hyperglycemia.