Problems in screening for gestational diabetes mellitus by measurement of casual blood glucose levels at 24–28 gestational weeks

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aims/Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the problems in screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by casual blood glucose (CBG) measurements at 24–28 gestational weeks. Materials and Methods Overall, 763 pregnant women who underwent the 50‐g glucose challenge test (GCT) at 24–28 gestational weeks were enrolled. The preload blood glucose (0‐h BG) level of 50‐g GCT was considered as CBG. Results A total of 240 women with BG levels at 1‐h after loading (1‐h BG) on 50‐g GCT ≥140 mg/dL underwent the 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test, and 98 (40.8%) were diagnosed with GDM. Of the 99 women with GDM, 71 (71.7%) had 0‐h BG on 50‐g GCT <100 mg/dL. Conclusions This study, where pregnant women underwent both CBG and 50‐g GCT simultaneously, showed that when CBG at 24–28 gestational weeks ≥100 mg/dL alone was used for screening GDM, many pregnant women with GDM were overlooked.

Keywords

• 50‐g oral glucose challenge test
• Casual blood glucose
• Gestational diabetes mellitus