ABSTRACT
Background: recurrent GDM are more common in women with previous GDM. Also GDM is an important risk factor for abnormal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes during postpartum. This study aims to determine the prevalence of postpartum IGT and T2DM in women with previous GDM
Methods: a cohort study was conducted on 2416 pregnant women referred to five Tehran university hospital clinics. The universal screening was performed with a GCT-50g and those with plasma glucose level>/=130mg/dl, were diagnosed as having GDM if they had an impaired GTT-100g based on Carpenter and Coustan criteria. All pregnancies were followed up until delivery. Available GDM patients underwent an OGTT-75gr within 6 to 12 weeks after delivery. Postpartum diabetes mellitus was diagnosed according to ADA criteria. Student T test and ANOVA used for comparing means of variables and Chi Square used for comparing of frequency of variables. Value of P less than 0.5 determine as significant different
Results: the prevalence of GDM was 4.7%. In fallow up 85.9% of women with GDM were screen in postpartum. 16.3% of women required insulin treatment and other patients were managed with diet. Prevalence of postpartum diabetes mellitus and IGT were 8.1% [CI 95%: 3.5-15.4] and 21.4% [CI 95%: 13.7-30.8] respectively, and 70.5% returned to normoglycemy
Conclusion: abnormal glucose tolerance is a common disorder in the early postpartum in GDM patients. Because of the high incidence of glucose tolerance disorders in women with previous GDM, screening, diagnosis and management during pregnancy was important for prevention of these disorders. Following up these mothers after delivery is highly recommended