Screening criteria for high-risk gestational diabetic patients

Clinical history, including previous abnormal pregnancy history, birth of a large baby, maternal obesity, and family history of diabetes, is demonstrated to be an insensitive screening factor in the selection of gestational diabetic patients. A screening blood sugar test and the age of the prenatal patient appear as the two most important of the factors studied for the identification of the gestational diabetic patient. A one-hour screening blood sugar test following oral ingestion of 50 Gm. of glucose and a glucose tolerance test on those patients with levels exceeding 130mg. per 100ml. of whole blood**Approximate equivalent for plasma or freshly separated serum is 150mg. per 100ml. are recommended. For the gestational diabetic patient at special risk for a current pregnancy, this procedure should be carried out in all patients 25 years or older.