Interpretation of maternal blood glucose during pregnancy at high altitude area, Abha-Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and Aims: In women who reside at high altitude, fasting plasma glucose is lower than at sea level, and further decrease of fasting blood glucose was noticed during pregnancy. This study aimed to set cutoff level of fasting plasma glucose during pregnancy at high altitude. The obtained data intended for interpretation of gestational blood sugar results and early detection of those who at risk of developing gestational diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the cutoff level of fasting plasma glucose during pregnancy at high altitude. The subjects were pregnant women who attending the routine antenatal care at Abha Maternity Hospital and Mahayil Aseer Maternity hospital. Plasma glucose concentrations and Body Mass Index (BMI), socio-demographic and obstetric data were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Comparison amongst these variables were carried out through t test (numerical variables) and Chi Square test (proportions). A P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The overall results obtained indicated that the fasting plasma glucose concentrations and BMI were significantly lower ( p = 0.0001) at high altitude area (Abha) than low altitude area (Mahayil Aseer). Age was the only socio-demographic factor that showed significant difference between the two groups (p-value was <0.05). Conclusion: Up to our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the interpretation of fasting blood glucose during pregnancy at high altitude area in Saudi Arabia. Our findings support the importance of careful interpretation of fasting blood glucose of pregnant women who reside at high altitude areas. The implementation of this policy at high altitude areas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is recommended for early detection of gestational diabetes and timed intervention to avoid complications.

Cause of fetal growth restriction during high-altitude pregnancy

“…However, Postigo and colleagues reported preservation of human fetal oxygen delivery and consumption at high altitude, 56 opposing this candidate mechanism. Although the underlying mechanism is unclear, studies in the Peruvian Andes 106 and in Saudi Arabia 107 have reported lower fasting plasma glucose in women at high altitude than in those at sea level, and in both groups the level was lower in pregnant women than in non-pregnant controls. Combined, these studies suggest that women undergoing pregnancy at high altitude have lower plasma glucose concentrations before and during pregnancy than those at sea level.…”

Prevalence of gestational diabetes in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

“…This could suggest further exploration of this parameter as a criterion for selective screening. Other factors including geographical and climatological conditions could be determinants [ 19 , 20 ] and parity did not show any relationship with GDM. This differs from the observation of Leye A who found that multiparity was significantly associated with GDM [ 10 ].…”

Metabolomic analysis identifies guanosine as an early biomarker in Diabetic Cognitive Dysfunction in high-altitude

“…However, a survey showed that the prevalence rate of diabetes on the Tibetan Plateau (7.5%) is much lower than the average prevalence rate of diabetes in China (11.9%) [8]. It has also been reported that women residing in high-altitude environments have lower blood glucose concentrations before and during pregnancy than those in low-altitude environments [9]. A cross-sectional study of US adults showed that living at a high-altitude (3,500 m) was associated with lower risk of diabetes than living at a Low-altitude (500 m) [10].…”