Question

A 26-week pregnant woman G2 P1 comes to the clinic for a 3-hour glucose tolerance test.  Her Values are as follows: Fasting 92, 1 hr 193, 2 hr 162, 3 hr 138. What are the significance of these values? What effect could this have on the fetus? What is the management for this patient?

Answer 1

After the 3 hours glucose tolerance test, if the blood glucose level is higher than 190 mg/dL then the patient is diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

A normal fasting blood glucose level is 95 mg/dL.

After 1 hour by drinking glucose solution the normal glucose level in the blood will be lower than 180 mg/dL. 2 hours after drinking glucose solution, the normal value will be lower than 155 mg/dL and after 3 hours it will be lower than 140 mg/dL.

If two or more of the results are higher than normal, then it is recommended to test again after 4 weeks.

- Untreated gestational diabetes can cause still birth, that is baby’s death before or immediate after birth. Babies are likely to get obesity or type 2 diabetes later in their life.The baby may at risk of excessive birth weight, serious breathing difficulties or low blood sugar.

- For the management of gestational diabetes in this patient:

Choose foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories.

Keep the patient active by practicing Excersice. 30 minutes of moderate activity on most of the days in a week can be recommended.

Do not gain more weight than recommended.