Early diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus and prevention of diabetes-related complications.
OBJECTIVE
[corrected] To test the hypothesis that an early diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) could avoid some diabetes-related complications.


METHODS
We compared the rates of pregnancy complications commonly related to diabetes between 189 (later screening group) and 235 (earlier screening group) women with GDM diagnosed before and after adding an universal glucose tolerance screening performed in the first antenatal visit to the traditional screening performed at 24-28 weeks of gestation.


RESULTS
Women in the later screening group were likely to have hydramnios (12.7 versus 2.1%, P<0.0001) and preterm deliveries (11.8 versus 5.5%; P=0.03). All cases of preterm premature rupture of membranes and fetal anomalies took place in the later screening group (P=0.03, P=0.007, respectively). Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney's U-test, Fisher's exact test and chi2-test. Statistical significance was set at 95% level (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Early glucose tolerance screening could avoid some diabetes-related complications in women with gestational diabetes. However, further studies are needed to know if it should be done in all pregnant women or only in those with a high risk of developing diabetes.
Bartha
Jose L
JL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Puerto Real, Carretera Nacional IV, KM 665, 11150 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain. jbarthar@sego.es
Martinez-Del-Fresno
Pilar
P
Comino-Delgado
Rafael
R
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000453:epidemiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000453:epidemiology; D006831:Polyhydramnios / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin