Can gestational diabetes screening predict preeclampsia?

Objective: In this study, we planned to investigate the relationship between maternal characteristics, obstetric outcomes and test results by screening the pregnant women in our population who had 50-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Methods: A total of 636 pregnant women, who had their gestational diabetes screening between January 2011 and July 2013 at a university hospital and whose medical records were reviewed retrospectively, were included in the study. Demographic, perinatal and newborn data of the pregnant women who included in the study were evaluated. Results: According to the information we obtained from the gestational diabetes screening results of the pregnant women in our study, 464 pregnant women had normal results for 50-g OGTT (Group 1, control group), 71 pregnant women had positive results for 50-g OGTT but normal results for all values in 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (Group 2), 29 pregnant women had positive results for 50-g OGTT but positive for only one value in 100-g OGTT (Group 3) and 62 pregnant women had gestational diabetes (Group 4). There were differences among the groups in the parameters for age, parity, preeclampsia and polyhydramnios, but there was no significant difference in other parameters. Conclusion: Even though there are differences in terms of ethnic origins, 50-g OGTT which is used as gestational diabetes screening test during pregnancy can predict preeclampsia. Our findings support the relationship between blood glucose level and preeclampsia, and contribute new information. However, more comprehensive prospective studies are required on this subject.