Comparison of Gestational Diabetes Tests Underway

October 11th, 2017

Gestational diabetes is an inability to control high blood sugar during pregnancy. For the 5-7% of pregnant women in the United States diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the condition can lead to an increased risk of having a very large baby resulting in premature birth, birth trauma, and cesarean section delivery, as well as an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life for mothers. Pregnant women in the United States are typically screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy with a two-step process that involves drinking a glucose solution at two visits and having repeated blood tests, but University of Pittsburgh researcher Esa Davis, MD, MPH, FAAFP, wants to find out if a one-step approach commonly used in other countries might be a better diagnostic test.

In an article published in the journal Contemporary Clinical Trials, Davis and her team explain that unlike the current two-step process that identifies up to 7% of women as having gestational diabetes, the one-step process may be able to detect more mild cases of high blood sugar and may result in up to 18% of pregnant women being diagnosed and potentially treated. However, some healthcare providers question if treating these more mild cases will actually lead to health improvements for mothers and babies. Davis’ study team plans to recruit 920 pregnant women, randomly assign them to either the one or two step screening process, and look at the outcomes for mothers and babies one year following birth to see if there is a difference. According to Dr. Davis, this study is important because it will “allow us to provide more evidence as to which screening test is better for maternal and fetal health going forward.”

Interested in participating in a pregnancy study? Learn more at pittplusme.org.