[Risk factors for changes in glucose metabolism in pregnancy]

Eighty women were studied having between 20-25 weeks of gestation at the National Institute of Perinatology. Weight and height were taken, and they were questioned about the risk factors (positive family history of diabetes mellitus, age, overweight and number of gestations). Two hours postprandial glucose tests were carried out using 100 g glucose load. Plasma glucose values were determinated according to the glucose-oxidase technique. Results showed that 36% of the population had at least glucose metabolism alteration (GMA) (glucose value 120 mg/dL). No significant difference was found for the weeks of gestation, nor number of gestations to define any cut point. On the other hand, significant values were found for the other risk factors, such as being 35 years or older, having 119% and 103% or more of pregestational and gestational weight for height respectively and having positive maternal family history of diabetes mellitus. The risk factor that is more capable to identify the subjects with an GMA is age 35 years followed by positive maternal family history of diabetes mellitus; when the combination of 4 risk factors is observed (gestas factor is excluded because it is a confusion element), the pregestational and pregestational and gestational weights work more like secondary supplementary risk factors than like determinants of the metabolic process. In view of these facts, it was found that positive maternal history of diabetes mellitus and the age less than or equal to 35 years individually and the presence of 3-4 risk factors can be considered high risk characteristics to develop GMA.