Glycated hemoglobin test: diagnostic difficulties in gestational diabetes

Abstract

Aims. To determine sensitivity and specificity of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test with direct immunoturbidimetry as a method to diagnose gestational diabetes (GD). Materials and Methods. 74 pregnant females were recruited during initial screening. Glycemic disorders were diagnosed with two methods: oral glucose tolerance test with 75 g of glucose and glycated hemoglobin test. Results. HbA1c test with direct immunoturbidimetry is a highly sensitive method for diagnosis of glycemic disorders of pregnancy, provided that cut-off level is lowered to 5.5%. Conclusion. Mild anemia was not found to have a significant impact on diagnostic value of HbA1c test.

Keywords

• pregnancy
• gestational diabetes
• glycated hemoglobin
• sensitivity
• specificity