Background The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between neck circumference and gestational diabetes. Methods This prospective study was conducted on 372 Iranian pregnant women. The criteria set by the American Diabetes Association through 2 h was used to classify subjects with regard to their gestational diabetes. At the 14–16th weeks of pregnancy, the neck circumference was measured. The maternal and fetal outcomes were measured as well. Results The adjusted logistic regression revealed that neck circumference was a predictor for gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.06, 1.34; P = 0.002). The ROC analysis depicted that the cut-off for neck circumference in indicating gestational diabetes was 34.3 cm, with the sensitivity of 53% and the specificity of 66%. Conclusion The findings of the present study revealed that the neck circumference of ≥34.3 cm can be deemed as a predictor of gestational diabetes in the case of Iranian pregnant women.

Background It is widely assumed that gestational diabetes is one of the most important causes of fetal and maternal and complications, and the predictive factors for this observation are not fully understood. Neck circumference could be deemed as a predictive factor for gestational diabetes. Thus, the aim of present study was to assess the relationship between neck circumference and gestational diabetes.Methods The study was conducted on 372 Iranian pregnant women. The criteria set by the American Diabetes Association through a 2-hour was used to classify subjects with regard to gestational diabetes. At 14–16 weeks of pregnancy, neck circumference was measured. The maternal and fetal outcomes were measured, too.Results Gestational diabetes mellitus was developed in 74 women in 24–28 weeks of pregnancy. Neck circumference at 14–16 of pregnancy age was found to be positively correlated with age (r = 0.18, P = ≤ 0.0001), pre-pregnancy weight (r = 0.45, P = ≤ 0.0001), body mass index (r = 0.46, P = ≤ 0.0001), and weight gain during pregnancy (r = 0.11, P = 0.031). The adjusted logistic regression revealed that neck circumference was a predictor for gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.06, 1.34; P = 0.002). The ROC analysis depicted that cut-off of neck circumference in indicating gestational diabetes was 34.3 cm, with the sensitivity of 53% and the specificity of 66%.Conclusion The finding of the present study indicated that a neck circumference ≥ 34.3 cm in Iranian pregnant women can provide as a predictor of gestational diabetes.