GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Pregnant women may be screened at 24 - 28 weeks gestation with a 50g oral glucose load (non-fasting). Blood is taken at 1h after the glucose load; a glucose of > 7.8 mmol/L is abnormal (this was previously called the Polycose test).
1. Those patients with a normal result but with risk factors (see below) should be re-screened at 32 - 34 weeks.
2. Women with an abnormal screen test should undergo a fasting 2 hr Glucose Tolerance Test, with a 75 g glucose load. This should be interpreted according to the following criteria:
NOTE: Only the fasting and 2 hour values are used for the interpretation of gestational glucose tolerance tests consistent with the recommendations of the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes.
Interpretation:
a) If either fasting > or = 5.5 mmol/L or 2 hour > or = 9.0 mmol/L :
Gestational diabetes is confirmed
b) If both fasting < 5.5 mmol/L and 2 hour < 9.0 mmol/L :
Normal pregnancy GTT
- Glucose tolerance may deteriorate during pregnancy so repeat GTT in four weeks may be warranted if it is clinically indicated.
- Clinical indications (risk factors) include a history of macrosomia, obesity, strong family history of gestational diabetes or diabetes, and a past history including previous GDM, macrosomia or intrauterine death or still-birth.
Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.
If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.
If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).
Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.
After-hours : contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.
Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402
Dr Cam Kyle: CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052
Dr Weldon Chiu: WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
Dr Campbell Heron: CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe: Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427