Can the 50-g glucose challenge test be important for subsequent pregnancies?

Abstract

Aim: Our aim in this study was to examine the risk factors associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in women who did not have GDM during a previous pregnancy. Materials and methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the charts of all pregnant women who delivered two pregnancies between January 2000 and June 2010. Group 1 consisted of patients with gestational diabetes and Group 2 served as the control. Results: There were 743 women who underwent GDM screening by means of the 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT). Thirty-eight women (5.1%) were excluded because of a previous history of GDM. The recurrence of GDM was 42.1% in this group (16 of the 38). The remaining 705 patients were divided into the GDM group (n = 38) and the control group (n = 667). Undergoing a 50-g GCT during the previous pregnancy (p = 0.000, 95% CI +0.01 to +0.002), age (p = 0.009, 95% CI +0.001 to +0.009), and weight differences between the pregnancies at the first trimester (p = 0.005, 95% CI +0.001 to +0.007) were independent parameters related to GDM. Conclusion: The 50-g GCT during the previous pregnancy was, interestingly, increased in the GDM group. It was also an independent risk factor for women without a history of GDM.