Association Between a Flat Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Pattern and Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants: A Retrospective
Dinçer Sümer1, Gunel Aliyeva1, Ümran Özcan1
1Department of Perinatology, University of Health Sciences, Etlik City Hospital, Varlık Mahallesi Halil Sezai Erkut Cd. No:5, 06170 Ankara, Türkiye.
Insights
A flat oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) pattern, indicating lower fasting and postprandial glucose, is linked to a higher risk of delivering small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. This specific glycemic pattern warrants further investigation in pregnancy care.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Endocrinology
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is crucial for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
- Distinct OGTT patterns, beyond GDM diagnosis, may have clinical significance for pregnancy outcomes.
- Fetal growth assessment is a key component of prenatal care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical significance of a flat OGTT pattern.
- To assess the association between a flat OGTT pattern and obstetric and perinatal outcomes, particularly fetal growth.
- To determine if a flat OGTT pattern independently predicts adverse fetal growth.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 685 women undergoing a two-step OGTT between 24-32 weeks gestation.
- Defined flat OGTT as fasting glucose < 95 mg/dL and all postprandial values < 100 mg/dL.
- Used logistic regression to analyze associations with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and fetal growth restriction (FGR).
Main Results:
- A flat OGTT pattern was observed in 5.7% of participants, characterized by attenuated postprandial glucose response.
- SGA was significantly more frequent in the flat OGTT group (20.5% vs. 6.7%, p=0.001).
- A flat OGTT pattern was independently associated with SGA (aOR 4.05, p=0.002) and showed a trend towards increased FGR.
Conclusions:
- A flat OGTT pattern represents a unique glycemic response with lower fasting and postprandial levels.
- This pattern is not generally linked to adverse obstetric outcomes but significantly increases the risk of SGA infants.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering specific OGTT patterns for fetal growth assessment.
Abstract:
Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of a flat oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) pattern and its association with obstetric and perinatal outcomes, focusing on fetal growth. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary referral center between January 2023 and November 2025. A total of 1198 women who underwent a two-step OGTT between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation were screened, and 685 eligible participants were included. A flat OGTT pattern was defined as fasting glucose < 95 mg/dL with all postprandial values < 100 mg/dL. The primary outcome was small-for-gestational-age (SGA); secondary outcomes included fetal growth restriction (FGR) and other obstetric outcomes. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess independent associations. Results: Thirty-nine women (5.7%) exhibited a flat OGTT pattern. These pregnancies were characterized by a markedly attenuated postprandial glycemic response and lower fasting glucose levels. Most maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar between groups. However, SGA was significantly more frequent in the flat OGTT group (20.5% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.001). In multivariable analysis, a flat OGTT pattern remained independently associated with SGA (aOR 4.05, 95% CI 1.70-9.68, p = 0.002). Both SGA and FGR were more frequent among women with a flat OGTT pattern, although the association appeared stronger for SGA. Conclusions: A flat OGTT pattern appears to represent a distinct glycemic response characterized by an attenuated postprandial glucose response and lower fasting glucose levels. Although this pattern was not associated with a generalized increase in adverse obstetric or neonatal outcomes, it was associated with an increased risk of small-for-gestational-age infants.
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