HbA1c as a tool for early screening of GDM

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is on the rise, posing risks for both mother and baby. While the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) remains the gold standard for diagnosis, it’s often inconvenient and inaccessible for many women. But what if there was an easier way? Emerging research suggests that HbA1c—an easy, fasting-free blood test—could help identify high-risk women early in pregnancy. Could this be a game-changer in GDM screening? Let’s dive in!

#GestationalDiabetes 

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References:

2. Bhattacharya S, Nagendra L, Krishnamurthy A, et al. Early gestational diabetes mellitus: diagnostic strategies and clinical implications. Med Sci (Basel). 2021 Sep;9(4):59.
3. Khalafallah A, Phuah E, Al-Barazan AM, et al. Glycosylated haemoglobin for screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus. BMJ Open 2016;6:e011059.
4. Rajput R, Yadav Y, Rajput M, et al. Utility of HbA1c for diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2012 Oct;98(1):104-7.
5. Saravanan P, Deepa M, Ahmed Z, et al. Early pregnancy HbA1c as the first screening test for gestational diabetes: Results from three prospective cohorts. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2024 Jun:S2213-8587(24)00151-7.