SCREENING FOR GESTATIONAL DIABETES-MELLITUS IN KOREA

Objectives: To examine the effect of clinical characteristics on the p revalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to find the most effective screening program for GDM in Korea. Methods: Universal scree ning with a 50-g glucose load at 24-28 weeks' gestation, as recommende d by the Third International Workshop-Conference on Gestational Diabet es Mellitus, was carried out among 3581 consecutive Korean women. Wome n with a 1-h plasma glucose greater than or equal to 130 mg/dl underwe nt a 3-h 100-g oral glucose tolerance test. The women's clinical chara cteristics and risk factors for GDM were recorded at the time of the s creening test. Results: The overall prevalence of GDM in Korean women was 2.2 cases/100. Although only 1.3% of this population was obese, th e prevalence of GDM was found to be significantly increased with incre asing body mass index. When 135 mg/l is used as a threshold, the numbe r of women requiring a diagnostic test decreases to 19.5%, enabling id entification of 98.8% of women with GDM. Conclusion. Universal screeni ng using 135 mg/dl as a threshold and early screening of those with tw o or more risk factors represent the most effective paradigm for Korea .