Early Postpartum Glucose Testing in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.
Objective Given that most women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) never undergo the recommended 6 to 12 weeks postpartum glucose tolerance test (GTT), we assessed the feasibility of performing GTTs on postpartum day 2. Study Design Women with abnormal postpartum day 2 results were similar to women with normal postpartum day 2 results except that more women with abnormal results required medicine to treat their GDM (Table 1). [corrected]. We assessed the feasibility of this GTT and compared the results to the standard of care GTT at 6 to 12 weeks postpartum. We also evaluated maternal and pregnancy characteristics of women who return for 6 to 12 weeks GTTs compared with those lost to follow-up. Results In this study, 98 of 106 participants (92%) completed the postpartum day 2 GTT; 59% had normal glucose values at that time. Only 49 women returned at 6 to 12 weeks postpartum. Among women who had testing at both time points, the 2 days postpartum GTT were 100% sensitive and 94% specific for diabetes mellitus but less sensitive and specific for milder forms of abnormal glucose. Women who did not return for testing at 6 to 12 weeks postpartum  were more likely to have less education, have Medicaid, and to have GDM previously (Table 2). [corrected]. Conclusion Performing GTTs on postpartum day 2 is feasible and should be further investigated as an alternative postpartum testing regimen in GDM.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Erika F
EF
Werner
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.
Phinnara
P
Has
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Gofran
G
Tarabulsi
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.
Joyce
J
Lee
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Andrew
A
Satin
D000328:Adult; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011181:Postnatal Care; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States