[Early glucose challenge test in pregnant women with risk factors of GDM in China].

Objective: To understand the current status and clinical relevance of early (<24 weeks) glucose challenge test (GCT) in pregnant women with risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in China.

Methods: Data from the survey of incidence of GDM in China were re-analyzed. The incidence of abnormal glucose metabolisms and the rate of early GCT in all women were calculated according to different numbers of risk factors. Sixteen risk factors were included in the survey. However, 4 independent risk factors were considered separately in this re-analysis. The ADA criteria for GDM diagnosis were applied.

Results: A total of 16 286 pregnant women were included in this analysis and 64.3% (10 468) presented with at least one risk factor. The incidence of GDM became elevated with the increasing number of risk factors (P < 0.001). Early GCT was performed in 1687 (16.1%) pregnant women and the early detected GDMs only accounted for 11.9% of all GDMs among those with at least one risk factor. Among those who had early GCT, the GDM diagnosis rate increased with the number of risk factors (P < 0.001). Previous analysis in this survey identified 4 independent risk factors for GDM among 16 risk factors: BMI > or = 24, age over 30 years old, family history of DM and southerners. Similar analysis was performed according to the above 4 risk factors and similar results were found as those found for 16 risk factors. No significant difference was found in the GDM and GIGT incidence between the two analyses in those with at least one risk factor.

Conclusion: Early GCT is necessary for pregnant women with risk factors of GDM, but the screening rate in China is low. GCT should be repeated for those women with risk factors of GDM and normal GCT at early screening.