Antenatal Screening for Gestational Diabetes by 50-g, 1-hour Glucose Screening Test

Kim, Sun Dong; Park, Young Kil; Kim, Young Ki; Han, Jae Soo; Park, Jung Don; Huh, Chang Kyu; Han, Chi Dong; Koh, Suk Bong

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Gestational diabetes mellitus is defined as carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity first diagnosed during pregnancy. It is associated with adverse outcomes of pregnancy including obstetrical complications such as increased rate of cesarean sections, preeclampsia, and birth trauma, and perinatal morbidities, such as macrosomia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. Therefore, screening for gestational diabetes mellitus and early diagnosis of this condition allows intervention to be carried out, thereby, the reduction of the untoward effects mentioned above can be minimized.
METHODS
Screening for abnormal glucose metabolism was carried out in 489 pregnant women. A 50-g oral glucose load without regard to time of day or last meal, and a 1-hour plasma glucose determination with a threshold of 140mg/dl were used as a glucose screening test(GST). Patients with an abnormal GST underwent an oral glucose tolerance test(GTT).
RESULTS
The overall incidence of gestational diabetes was 2.7%. The occurrence of this disorder was significantly related to the age of pregnant women, parity, or the presence of risk factors for gestational diabetes and obesity(Body Mass Index> or =26kg/m2).
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that Korean pregnant women should be screened for gestational diabetes.