Screening of Diabetes in Pregnancy

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is approximately 6% of pregnant women in the United
States. The prevalence ranges is about from 2% to 38% worldwide and varies among racial-ethnic groups, often
paralleling the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. The prevalence also varies due to differences in screening practices,
population characteristics (eg, mean age and body mass index [BMI] of pregnant women), testing method, and
diagnostic criteria. The prevalence is increasing over time, possibly due to increases in mean maternal age and
weight, particularly with increasing obesity. In 2010, the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study
Groups proposed new screening and diagnostic criteria for diabetes in pregnancy. Using these criteria, the global
prevalence of hyperglycemia in pregnancy is estimated at 17%, with regional estimates ranging from 10% in North
America to 25% in Southeast Asia. Different screening programs are carried out in different clinics, and all these
differences lead to different results in the frequency of GDM. The criteria of the method and threshold value
acceptance depends on the health policies of the countries, the experience of the clinicians and the characteristics
of the patient population. In this review, we analyzed the methods recommended for GDM screening in
pregnancy.