Significance of Oral Glucose Challenge Test at first antenatal visit for screening for Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Objectives: To study the significance of oral glucose challenge test as early screening for diabetes before 20 weeks of pregnancy Methods: Two hundred seventeen consenting pregnant women attending antenatal clinic for first visit at gestation earlier than 20 weeks were on registration, administered a 1-hour 50g oral glucose challenge test. Women with abnormal test (plasma value of ≥ 140mg/dL) were subjected to 3-hour 100g oral glucose tolerance test. Reevaluation with OGTT was done at 24-30 weeks of pregnancy in women with normal OGCT and those with abnormal OGCT but normal OGTT in early pregnancy. Results: Overall incidence of abnormal OGTT was 8.2 per cent. Early OGCT identified 44.4 per cent, higher among women with high risk pregnancies. There was no significant difference in maternal and neonatal outcomes among groups with detection of abnormal OGTT before 20 weeks and those after 24 weeks pregnancy. Conclusions: OCTT performed in first half of pregnancy will help to detect the abnormality early and permit further evaluation and intervention resulting in improved perinatal outcome.