Background: The International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups’ (IADPSG) diagnostic criteria for GDM, have a lower fasting plasma glucose (FPG) threshold relative to ADIPS 1998 criteria, (5.5vs5.1mmol/L) and a higher 2 hour post glucose load threshold (8.0vs8.5mmol/L). Some continue to use ADIPS 1998 criteria due to predicted increases in workload[1] and a lack of randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence to support IADPSG criteria.
Aim: To review whether women with FPG of 5.1 to 5.4mmol/L and normal 2 hr post glucose load are at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes
Methods: We reviewed data from the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital diabetes, obstetric and pathology databases, between 2011 and 2015. We compared: Group A; with FPG between 5.1 to 5.4mmol/L and Group B; NGT women excluding Group A . Group A would be re-classified as GDM according to new IADPSG criteria. However both groups were defined as normal glucose tolerance (NGT) according to ADIPS 1998 criteria[2], neither receiving treatment for GDM.
Antenatal maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes, namely incidence of pre-eclampsia, prematurity (<37 weeks), induction of labour, caesarean section, low birth weight(<2500g ) and macrosomia(>4000g), Apgars and need for neonatal ICU(NICU) admission were compared between groups.
Results: There were 245 women in Group A and 2001 women in Group B. At baseline Group A women had a higher pre-pregnancy BMI(27.9±5.8 vs 25.4±6.0kg/m2,p<0.0001), higher pre-pregnancy to booking visit weight gain(6.6±5.5 vs 5.8 ± 5.4kg,p<0.05) and greater proportion of Caucasian women(50.2vs 48.5%, p<0.01).
Significant differences in outcomes are summarised in Table 1
Conclusion
Lowering FPG for diagnosis of GDM according to IADPSG criteria is justified, as women with FPG 5.1 to 5.4mmol/L appear to have babies of higher birthweight and the macrosomia rate is higher. It remains to be seen, however, whether treating these women will reduce the incidence of adverse outcomes.