Abstract:
Objective The study aimed at determining the prevalence
and associated risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus
(GDM) among antenatal women attending the Jos University
Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos, Nigeria.
Methods A cross-sectional study was done between
February and April 2009 among 265 pregnant women
enrolled from the antenatal clinic of JUTH. Screening was
done between 24 and 28 weeks’ gestation with a 50 g, 1-h
glucose challenge test (GCT). Those with plasma glucose
concentration [7.8 mmol/l were then given 75 g oral
glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to confirm the diagnosis of
GDM. Plasma glucose measurements were performed with
glucose oxidase method. GDM was diagnosed according to
the WHO criteria. All relevant data including demographic
information, obstetric history, and risk factors for GDM,
GCT and OGTT results were collected and analyzed using
Epi Info version 3.5.1, CDC, Atlanta, USA.
Results Of the 265 pregnant women enrolled, 253 subjects
were eligible for screening out of which, 28 (11.1 %)
had positive GCT[7.8 mmol/l. The prevalence of GDM
was 8.3 % (21/253); 95 % CI 5.2–12.4. The pattern of
glucose tolerance in the study population indicated that 232
(91.7 %) had normal glucose tolerance, 6.7 % had
impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) while 1.6 % had overt
diabetes. Previous history of fetal macrosomia was independently
associated with GDM (adjusted OR 11.1; 95 %
CI 2.93–42.12, P = 0.0004).
Conclusion The prevalence of GDM was relatively high
among our antenatal population. Women with previous
history of fetal macrosomia have a higher likelihood of
having GDM and should be screened.
