What Is Gestational Diabetes?
5. Opinions on Screening
There are various opinions regarding the best screening and diagnostic measures due to lack of evidence regarding large national screening programs, cost-effectiveness considerations, and different population risks. The most elaborate program involves having a random blood glucose test during booking followed by a glucose challenge test (the mother will drink glucose) during 24 to 28 weeks of their pregnancy.
Women with a high risk may be tested earlier. While obstetric units in the United Kingdom often take into consideration the patient’s risk factors and random blood glucose, most obstetricians in the United States prefer doing a universal screening using a screening glucose challenge test. Although some may opt to forgo the routine screening due to absence of risk factors, it is not advisable as a large proportion of women with gestational diabetes have no risk factors.
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