HbA1c more than 5.9 percent can ID diabetes in early pregnancy

HbA1c ≥5.9 percent can ID diabetes in early pregnancy

(HealthDay)—An HbA1c threshold of ≥5.9 percent can identify all women with gestational diabetes in early pregnancy, according to a study published online Sept. 4 in Diabetes Care.

Ruth C.E. Hughes, M.B.B.Ch., from the University of Otago in New Zealand, and colleagues analyzed data from a group of women who completed an early oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and HbA1c tests. Pregnancy outcome data were also assessed.

In 16,122 women, HbA1c was measured at a median of 47 days' gestation. Twenty-three percent of those offered (974 women) took an early OGTT, and in this subset all 15 cases of diabetes were identified with HbA1c ≥5.9 percent. For before 20 weeks this threshold was 98.4 percent specific (positive predictive value, 52.9 percent). Excluding the women referred for , women with HbA1c of 5.9 to 6.4 percent had poorer pregnancy outcomes than those with HbA1c <5.9 percent (8,174 women): relative risk of major congenital anomaly was 2.67; pre-eclampsia, 2.42; shoulder dystocia, 2.47; and perinatal death, 3.96.

"HbA1c measurements were readily performed in contrast to the low uptake of early OGTTs," the authors write.

More information: Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Journal information: Diabetes Care

Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Citation: HbA1c more than 5.9 percent can ID diabetes in early pregnancy (2014, September 16) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-09-hba1c-percent-id-diabetes-early.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

HbA1c less than 6.5 percent is specific, not sensitive for T1DM

 shares

Feedback to editors