Gaps Found on Gestational Diabetes Screening

Out of almost one million patients, only about two-thirds of women undergoes screening test for gestational diabetes. Among the five percent of women that are proven diabetics are just one in five were examined again within six months of giving birth.

According to the findings of Dr. Jon M. Nakamoto of Quest Diagnostic Nichols Institute in San Juan Capistrano, California, and his social group, even the slight imperfection on glucose metabolism can affect health of both mother and child. Aside from having pregnancy-related diabetes, women are also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Currently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Diabetes Association are suggesting that expecting mother should undergo testing for gestational diabetes. Those who are proven positive on pregnancy-related diabetes should go back for testing six to twelve weeks after the baby is born.

Most hospital is using the 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test. A woman drinks a great deal of sweetened beverages then is test for glucose tolerance. If two tests show abnormal sugar level then she is positive for gestational diabetes.

International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups commended the use of the 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test. The test only needs one abnormal high blood glucose result to signify pregnancy-related diabetes.

Based on the new rule, Nakamoto believes that approximately twice as many women have gestational diabetes compared to the women diagnosed with the 100 gram test.

The participants are 925,000 pregnant women ages 25 to 40 years old. 68 percent (nearly 843,000) underwent oral glucose tolerance testing and five percent are tested positive for gestational diabetes.

Women 35 to 40 years old are two times possible to acquire gestational diabetes than women ages 18 to 24 years old. Asian women have a greater risk of gestational diabetes compared to whites.

On the 23,000 gestational diabetics and continue to receive lab test inside six months of their due date, only 19 were suffering from diabetes postpartum.

The study proves that postpartum screening rates of expecting women are less than the optional guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Diabetes Association. It's crucial to remark that the ratio of women with gestational diabetes mellitus who returns for postpartum testing is low.

The US Preventive Services Task Force - the government organization that gives out the suggestion for screening analysis noted that the data is not that solid enough to recommend that all expectant mothers entertain screening test.

Nakamoto believes that the outcomes-based data is what the task force is waiting for and could make the difference.

I come from a diabetes prone family. Both my father and my brother have already died because they are diabetics. In my quest to know more about diabetes and somehow fight the dreaded disease. I have started a blog entitled " Diabetics Info ". This has been my online journal of my experience and research about diabetes.

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