An Appraisal of Screening Methods for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Universal versus selective screening for gestational diabetes mellitus among antenatal clinic attendees in Abakaliki: using the one-step 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test

“…In this study the risk factors that had statistically significance association with the development of hyperglycemia on univariate analysis were maternal age ≥ 35 years, previous macrosomic baby (ies), previous GDM, previous unexplained stillbirth, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m 2 , being a known hypertensive patient and pregnancy weight ≥ 90 kg. These are in keeping with findings in other studies [5,10,16,19,20] though in this study having first degree relative(s) with diabetes mellitus was not significantly related to the development of hyperglycemia. The presence of first degree relative(s) with diabetes mellitus was equally not significant in a similar study [10]..The differences in the predictors of hyperglycemia in different studies shows that all the significant predictors of hyperglycemia may not have been identified and there may be predictor variability among different study populations.…”

“…Controversies include universal versus selective screening, the optimal time for screening, appropriate tests and cut off values, and whether testing should be conducted in one or two steps [6]. Screening for GDM is better done between 24 and 28 weeks since fasting glucose values are lower in the first and early second trimesters in normal pregnancies, compared to the non-pregnant state [19,20]. The most sensitive way to screen is with the OGTT [19].…”

“…Screening for GDM is better done between 24 and 28 weeks since fasting glucose values are lower in the first and early second trimesters in normal pregnancies, compared to the non-pregnant state [19,20]. The most sensitive way to screen is with the OGTT [19]. Recent evidence suggest that the same test should be used for both screening and diagnosis [2,21,22].…”