Gestational diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance in a Mexican population

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), glucose intolerance (GI) and macrosomia in a Latin Mexican population, using the one-step procedure proposed by the World Health Organization. Method: Consecutive pregnant women (n=667) who attended the antenatal clinic and delivered at the hospital were recruited after 24 weeks of gestation, mean 34.2 weeks, range 24–40 weeks. After a minimum of 3 days with a 150-g carbohydrate diet, a glucose load of 75 g was administered and 2 h after, a blood sample for glucose was taken, plasma was separated and immediately processed for glucose, using a glucose-oxidase method. Results: Twenty women were diagnosed with GDM (3%), 87 had GI (13%) and 560 had a normal glucose response (84%). Macrosomia occurred in two (10%) of GDM, in nine (10.3%) of GI, and in 29 (5.4%) gravidas with a normal response, respectively. Only one of the macrosomic infants whose mother had GI, had neonatal hypoglycemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of glucose abnormalities during pregnancy was 16%. GI in this group was associated to macrosomia at the same rate as GDM.