Screening for Gestational Diabetes in a Teaching Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the incidence and severity of gestational diabetes in our hospital population which is predominantly Arab; 455 consecutive patients were screened by a 3-hour glucose tolerance test in the third trimester of pregnancy. The overall incidence of gestational diabetes was found to be 11% and the incidence increased with increasing maternal age, parity and weight. A high prevalence of more severe degrees of gestational diabetes was noted among the Arabs. Glucose intolerance was observed in 2 patients in the absence of any risk factor. The most common high risk factor in patients found to have gestational diabetes was maternal age of 30 years or more.