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Screening and Treatment for Early-Onset Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

  • Diabetes and Pregnancy (M-F Hivert, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the current evidence for screening and treatment for early-onset gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

Recent Findings

Many of the women with early GDM in the first trimester do not have evidence of hyperglycemia at 24–28 weeks’ gestation.

Summary

A high proportion (15–70%) of women with GDM can be detected early in pregnancy depending on the setting, criteria used and screening strategy. However, there remains no good evidence for any of the diagnostic criteria for early-onset GDM. In a meta-analysis of 13 cohort studies, perinatal mortality (relative risk (RR) 3.58 [1.91, 6.71]), neonatal hypoglycemia (RR 1.61 [1.02, 2.55]), and insulin use (RR 1.71 [1.45, 2.03]) were greater among early-onset GDM women compared to late-onset GDM women, despite treatment. Considering the high likelihood of benefit from treatment, there is an urgent need for randomized controlled trials that investigate any benefits and possible harms of treatment of early-onset GDM.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Campbelltown, NSW, 2751, Australia

    Jincy Immanuel & David Simmons

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  1. Jincy Immanuel
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Correspondence to David Simmons.

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Jincy Immanuel is supported by a post-graduate research scholarship from Western Sydney University. David Simmons declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Immanuel, J., Simmons, D. Screening and Treatment for Early-Onset Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Curr Diab Rep 17, 115 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-017-0943-7

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