title: The glucose challenge test: a screening test for gestational diabetes mellitus.
abstract: The 50g glucose challenge test (GCT) was evaluated as a method to screen for gestational diabetes in 540 low-risk pregnant women to establish its sensitivity and specificity, as well as to establish a relevant threshold plasma glucose value above which a diagnostic 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) would be indicated. If a threshold of 140 mg/dl is used, the diagnostic yield would be 28.5%. At a threshold of 130 mg/dl, the diagnostic yield fell to 25.4%; the sensitivity rose to 87.7% and the specificity declined to 67.1%. There was progressive increase in diagnostic sensitivity when the GCT was performed after 24 weeks without significant decrease in specificity. In low-risk populations, a 50g GCT should be performed between 24-28 weeks gestation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Thai
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Kek
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Yeoh
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ratnam
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D005947:Glucose