Fasting or two-hour postprandial plasma glucose levels in early months of pregnancy as screening tools for gestational diabetes mellitus developing in later months of pregnancy

Purpose: The present study was done to find out whether the fasting or 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (PPPG) levels in early months of pregnancy can be used as screening tools for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) developing in later months of pregnancy. Basic procedure: Fasting and 2-hour PPPG levels were measured in the early months of pregnancy in 246 women attending the antenatal clinic of the author. All of the women underwent glucose challenge tests with 50 grams of glucose at 24-28 weeks and if the value exceeded 140 mg%, a three-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with 100 grams of glucose was performed to diagnose GDM. Main findings: The present study found that the incidence of GDM was 10.5% in the third trimester. Statistical analysis did not show any correlation between fasting and the PPPG values in the early months and GDM in later months of pregnancy. Conclusion: Fasting or PPPG values cannot be used as efficient screening tools for GDM developing in the later months of pregnancy.