[Carbohydrate intolerance and pregnancy outcome]

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Endocrinology
• Clinical Chemistry

Context:

• Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a significant concern during pregnancy.
• Accurate screening is crucial for early detection and management.
• Traditional screening methods can be resource-intensive.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the 50-gram oral glucose challenge test (50g GCT) as a primary screening tool for GDM.
• To determine the prevalence of GDM and impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT) in a pregnant population.
• To assess the correlation between screening glucose levels and adverse perinatal outcomes.

Summary:

• A 50g GCT was administered to 289 pregnant women, with a 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) performed for elevated glucose levels (> 7.78 mmol/L).
• 16.96% of women had elevated 50g GCT levels, leading to diagnoses of GIGT (5.19%) and GDM (1.73%) via 75g OGTT.
• Higher rates of pregnancy-induced hypertension, premature rupture of membranes, fetal macrosomia, cesarean delivery, and perinatal morbidity were observed in women with GIGT and GDM.

Impact:

• The 50g GCT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, suggesting it is a preferable, simple, and cost-effective screening method for GDM.
• Early identification of GDM through effective screening can lead to timely interventions, potentially reducing adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
• Findings support the integration of the 50g GCT into routine prenatal care for efficient GDM screening.