Prophylactic insulin in gestational diabetes

Patients with gestational diabetes were divided into two groups according to the results of three-hour oral glucose tolerance tests. Those with fasting euglycemia (serum glucose 95 mg/dL or lower) on oral glucose tolerance test (class A) were treated with diet alone, whereas those with fasting hyperglycemia on oral glucose tolerance test (class A/B) were treated with both diet and insulin (15 U neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin before breakfast). The frequency of macrosomia (birth weight more than 4000 g) among class A/B gestational diabetics was 16.2%, which was significantly greater than the 5.6% incidence in class A diabetics and the 6.4% incidence in controls. After controlling for potential confounding risk factors, it was determined that class A diabetics had a frequency of macrosomia no different from that of nondiabetics. Nonobese gestational diabetics with fasting hyperglycemia (class A/Bs), who were treated with diet and prophylactic insulin, also had a frequency of macrosomia no different from that of nondiabetics or class A diabetics. However, the diet and insulin regimen did not prevent excess macrosomia in class A/B diabetics who were obese.     

Glycohemoglobins in normal and diabetic pregnancy

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) concentration was measured in 155 pre- and 30 postpartum patients to study its correlation with glucose metabolism and perinatal outcome in patients suspected of carbohydrate intolerance during pregnancy. Though the mean HbA1 values were significantly higher in gestational diabetics compared to normal pregnant controls, the large overlap between HbA1 levels of diabetic patients and levels in the of normal range, make HbA1 an unreliable screening device for diabetes. However, if the HbA1 level was elevated in patients suspected of carbohydrate intolerance, but who had a normal glucose tolerance test, the perinatal outcome in terms of macrosomia and neonatal metabolic abnormalities was similar to that of the group with gestational diabetes. HbA1 measurements should be obtained in these women, and, if elevated, maternal and fetal surveillance is recommended. HbA1 level is not a useful predictor of birthweight, though may be of value as a postpartum screen for unrecognized diabetes and may help discriminate between a constitutionally large but otherwise normal newborn and a large infant of a diabetic mother.     

C-peptide and insulin levels at 24-30 weeks' gestation: an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: The hypothesis was that fasting C-peptide and insulin values, during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), might allow an estimation of the increased risk for gestational hypertension (GH) and fetal macrosomia. STUDY DESIGN: Two-hundred and six consecutive patients were submitted to an OGTT. Thirty-five developed gestational hypertension and 29 delivered large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborns. Plasma glucose levels (mg/dl) and insulin levels (microU/ml) were measured fasting and after 60, 120 and 180 min C-peptide fasting levels (ng/ml) were also measured. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were excluded, 181 were enrolled. According to the OGTT, 143 patients were classified as normal, 26 were found affected by gestational diabetes (GD) mellitus, and 12 had impaired gestational glucose tolerance (IGGT). Hypertensive women exhibited higher 60 and 120 min insulin values than the normotensive group (128.3+/-69.9 microU/ml versus 86.2+/-58.3 microU/ml, P<0.05; 104.9+/-66.4 microU/ml versus 78.7+/-56.5 microU/ml, P<0.05).C-peptide cut-off at 2.9 ng/ml resulted predictive for patients delivering large-for-gestational-age newborns (OR=3.42, 95% CI=1.59-7.39). CONCLUSIONS: C-peptide and insulin may be used as indicators of risk for the development of complications in late pregnancy.     

Can increased nuchal translucency in the first trimester of pregnancy predict gestational diabetes mellitus.

The current study was designed to evaluate whether increased nuchal translucency can predict gestational diabetes mellitus. This was a prospective observational study. Among the pregnant women at 11-14 weeks of pregnancy who came to our prenatal unit for a first trimester screening test, 389 pregnant women whose nuchal translucency above 95th centile were selected as the study group and 386 age-matched pregnant women whose nuchal translucency were within the normal range were enrolled as a control group. First, subjects underwent a 50 g glucose screening test; if it was positive then a 100 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed. The main outcome measures were the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance and the number of macrosomic infants. Impaired glucose tolerance was more common in pregnant women whose nuchal translucency was above the 95th centile (p = 0.048). In addition, macrosomic infants were also more common in pregnant women with a fetal nuchal translucency above the 95th centile (p = 0.045). Macrosomia was more common in the study group with gestational diabetes mellitus (p = 0.046). In conclusion, increased nuchal translucency seems to be predictive for impaired glucose tolerance and macrosomia, which are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus.     

Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy in an African population.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the pregnancy outcome among diabetic and non-diabetic Nigerian women. METHODS: A retrospective case record review of 200 pregnant diabetic patients and control was carried out over a 10-year period (1990-1999) at the Maternity unit of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria. RESULTS: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus among pregnant mothers was 1.7%. Pre-gestational diabetes mellitus accounted for 39% of cases while gestational diabetes was responsible for 61% of them. Late antenatal booking and poor control of diabetes mellitus were common features, while maternal and fetal morbidity was high. Hypertension, vulvovaginitis, premature labor, polyhydramnios and ketoacidosis were significantly higher among diabetic mothers than controls. The perinatal mortality was also higher among diabetics than controls (12.5% vs. 3.5%) with stillbirth being the major contributor. Patients with gestational diabetes were at increased risk of fetal macrosomia than controls (28.7% vs. 5.5%). The overall cesarean section rate was high (36%) among diabetics with previous cesarean section and cephalopelvic disproportion being the commonest indications. CONCLUSIONS: Health education and provision of modern affordable methods of management of diagnosed cases such as uristix and hemastix will improve maternal and fetal outcome in pregnant diabetics in Africa.     

Predictive factors of developing diabetes mellitus in women with gestational diabetes

BACKGROUND: To investigate which factors during gestational diabetes pregnancies correlate with the risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes 1 year postpartum and to compare this risk in women with gestational diabetes and women with a normal oral glucose tolerance test during pregnancy. METHODS: Of 315 women with gestational diabetes, defined as a 2-hr blood glucose value of at least 9.0 mmol/l at a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, who delivered in Lund 1991-99, 229 (73%) performed a new test 1 year postpartum. We compared maternal and fetal factors during pregnancy with the test value at follow up. A control group of 153 women with a 2-hr test value below 7.8 mmol/l during pregnancy were invited to a new test 1 year postpartum and 60 (39%) accepted. RESULTS: At 1 year follow up, 31% of the women with gestational diabetes but only one of the 60 controls showed pathologic glucose tolerance and one had developed diabetes. The following factors in women with gestational diabetes were identified as predicting impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes at 1 year follow up: maternal age over 40 and--in a multiple regression analysis, independent of each other--a high 2-hr value at oral glucose tolerance test during pregnancy and insulin treatment during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The risk of developing manifest diabetes after gestational diabetes may be high enough to justify a general screening or diagnostic procedure in all pregnant women to identify women with gestational diabetes and a postpartum follow up program for them. This study did not identify any particular factor during pregnancy with enough precision to predict a later progression to diabetes.     

Recurrence of gestational diabetes.

The recurrence rate of gestational diabetes in 58 patients who had had the foregoing pregnancy complicated by diabetes was estimated to be 30% if our former criteria for abnormal glucose tolerance were strictly applied and 25% if our new, more stringent criteria were used. The recurrence rate is not influenced by prophylactic administration of pyridoxine. The perinatal morbidity complicating the 'second' pregnancy of former gestational diabetics was not increased in those patients who were not treated again, as compared with those who were. Recurrent gestational diabetes is associated with a degree of overdiagnosis in an attempt to detect all gestational diabetics. It is suggested that recurrent gestational diabetes occurs mainly in prediabetic patients.     

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus in the ACHOIS trial: risk factors for shoulder dystocia

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with increased risk of fetal macrosomia and shoulder dystocia. However, not all women with GDM and fetal macrosomia have shoulder dystocia. Aims: To identify the risk factors for shoulder dystocia in women with gestational diabetes using data from women recruited into the routine care group of the ACHOIS trial. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on data collected from women enrolled in the ACHOIS trial. Bivariate analyses were performed using the Fisher exact test. Variables found to be significantly associated with shoulder dystocia and previously identified risk factors were used as explanatory variables in multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A positive relationship was found between the severity of maternal fasting hyperglycaemia and the risk of shoulder dystocia, with a 1 mmol increase in fasting oral glucose-tolerance test leading to a relative risk (RR) of 2.09 (95% CI 1.03-4.25). Shoulder dystocia occurred more often in births requiring operative vaginal delivery (RR 9.58, 95% CI 3.70-24.81, P < 0.001). Macrosomic and large-for-gestational-age infants were more likely to have births complicated by shoulder dystocia (RR 6.27, 95% CI 2.33-16.88, P < 0.001 and RR 4.57, 95% CI 1.74-12.01, P < 0.005, respectively). Fetal macrosomia was the only variable to maintain its significance in all multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal macrosomia is the strongest independent risk factor for shoulder dystocia. Effective preventative strategies are needed.     

The Effects of Carbohydrate Restriction in Patients With Diet-Controlled Gestational Diabetes

Objective: To determine the effect of carbohydrate restriction on perinatal outcome in patients with diet-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods: Women with diet-controlled GDM were divided non-randomly into two groups based on their dietary carbohydrate content: those with low dietary carbohydrate content (below 42%) and those with high dietary carbohydrate content (exceeding 45%). Subjects kept dietary accounts and were followed with daily fasting and postprandial glucose assessments. Subjects also were tested daily for urinary ketones. Glycosylated hemoglobin, mean fasting and postprandial glucose values, incidence of macrosomia and large for gestational age (LGA) infants, cesarean deliveries for cephalopelvic disproportion and macrosomia, and need for insulin therapy were compared between the groups.Results: The two groups were identical in terms of demographic characteristics. Significant reductions in the postprandial glucose values were seen among subjects in the low-carbohydrate group (P < .04). Fewer subjects in the low-carbohydrate group required the addition of insulin for glucose control (P < .047; relative risk [RR] 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02, 1.00). The incidence of LGA infants was significantly lower in the low-carbohydrate group (P < .035; RR 0.22; 95% CI 0.05, 0.91). Subjects in the low carbohydrate group also had a lower rate of cesarean deliveries for cephalopelvic disproportion and macrosomia (P < .037; RR 0.15; 95% CI 0.04, 0.94).Conclusion: Carbohydrate restriction in patients with diet-controlled GDM results in improved glycemic control, less need for insulin therapy, a decrease in the incidence LGA infants, and a decrease in cesarean deliveries for cephalopelvic disproportion and macrosomia.     

Perinatal outcome in large-for-gestational-age infants. Is it influenced by gestational impaired glucose tolerance?

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between the World Health Organization category of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (two-hour value of the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at 8-10.9 mmol/L) and outcome in large-for-gestational age (LGA) infants to determine whether IGT affects perinatal morbidity in addition to affecting infant size. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was performed on 461 LGA newborns (birth weight > 90th percentile) from singleton pregnancies delivering after 36 completed weeks in a 12-month period to determine the difference in perinatal outcome between nondiabetic pregnancies (n = 382) and pregnancies with diet-treated IGT (n = 79). RESULTS: The IGT group had significantly higher mean maternal age, prepregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI) but lower absolute and percent gestational weight gain and no difference in infant gestational age, birth weight, BMI, incidence of macrosomia (birth weight > or = 4,000 g) or obstetric complications. However, the IGT group had an increased incidence of Erb's palsy (OR 7.81, 95% CI 1.76-34.62), meconium aspiration syndrome (OR 5.29, 95% CI 1.27-22.02), phototherapy (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.03-5.69), sepsis (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.25-6.74) and shoulder dystocia (OR 5.64, 95% CI 1.06-29.89) after adjusting for confounding factors (maternal age and BMI, postdate pregnancy, mode of delivery and infant sex). CONCLUSION: Despite dietary treatment, maternal IGT is associated with increased perinatal morbidity independent of its effect on fetal size.     

The significance of one abnormal glucose tolerance test value on adverse outcome in pregnancy

A matched control study of 126 women equally divided into three groups (normal oral glucose tolerance test, one abnormal test value, and gestational diabetes mellitus) was undertaken to examine the relationships among oral glucose tolerance test results, glycemic control in pregnancy, and adverse perinatal outcome. Characterization of metabolic control for the one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test value and the gestational diabetes mellitus groups (before treatment) showed no significant difference. After the start of treatment, however, a significant (p less than 0.01) difference between the groups in level of control was found. While no significant difference in the average birth weight between the three groups was discovered, the incidence of large infants (macrosomia and large for gestational age) was found to be significantly higher in the one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test group when compared with the normal (34% versus 9%; p less than 0.01) and gestational diabetes mellitus group (34% versus 12%; p less than 0.01). No significant difference for the incidence of an infant large for gestational age was found between the normal group and the patients with gestational diabetes mellitus after treatment. Neonatal metabolic disorders were found to be significantly higher for the one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test group (15%) when compared with the control and the gestational diabetes mellitus groups (3%). We conclude that, if left untreated, one abnormal value on an oral glucose tolerance test is strongly associated with adverse perinatal outcome.     

Gestational Diabetes and Follow-up Among Immigrant Vietnam-born Women

Summary: Gestational diabetes is associated with an increased risk of fetal macrosomia and perinatal death. Immigrant mothers from Vietnam who delivered in the Mercy Hospital for Women between January 1,1979 and December 31,1990 were investigated to assess their risk of gestational diabetes, the factors that were associated with gestational diabetes, and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus on follow-up. These mothers were compared with Australian-born mothers attending the same hospital and who delivered in the same period. Using a logistic regression model, gestational diabetes was found to be more common in Vietnam-born mothers who were older, who were primigravidas, or were underweight and the risk of gestational diabetes increased over the time period of the study. The adjusted relative risk of gestational diabetes for Vietnam-born women was 1.43 (95% confidence limits 1.10, 1.86) compared with Australian-born women. The incidence of gestational diabetes was 7.8% (144 of 1,839) in Vietnam-born mothers and 4.3% (1,173 of 27,086) in Australian-born mothers. Vietnam-born mothers also had a greater risk of diabetes mellitus on follow-up; 25% (17 of 68) of those with follow-up testing had developed diabetes mellitus within 9 years of diagnosis of gestational diabetes, in comparison with an incidence of 9% (52 of 581) of Australian-born mothers with follow-up testing. Vietnam-born mothers should have glucose tolerance testing performed during pregnancy to detect gestational diabetes and those diagnosed should have long-term follow-up to detect the development of diabetes mellitus.     

Maternal obesity not maternal glucose values correlates best with high rates of fetal macrosomia in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes

AIM: The current therapeutic strategies to reduce macrosomia rates in gestational diabetes (GDM) have focused on the normalizing of maternal glucose levels. The aim of our study was 1.) to compare maternal glycemic values with the presence of fetal macrosomia at different gestational ages (GA) and with LGA at birth in a cohort of women with glucose intolerance and standard diabetic therapy. METHODS: 306 women with GDM and 97 with impaired glucose tolerance underwent ultrasound examinations at entry and, after initiation of therapy, monthly in addition to standard diabetic therapy. Measurements from the entry diagnostic oGTT, glucose profile and HbA1c and from subsequent glucose profiles obtained within 3 days of the ultrasound at 5 categories of GA age (20-23, 24-27 etc) were retrospectively compared between pregnancies with and without fetal macrosomia, defined as an abdominal circumference (AC) > or = 90th percentile. Maternal prepregnancy BMI was adjusted for and BMI > or = 30 kg/m2 was defined as obesity. RESULTS: At entry, neither the hourly oGTT values, HbA1c, nor the entry glucose profile differed significantly between pregnancies with and without fetal macrosomia. In a total of 919 pairs of ultrasound/glucose profiles there was no significant difference in glucose levels at every GA category neither in lean nor in obese woman except for the fasting glucose of 32-35 GA. The fetal macrosomia rate in each GA category and the rate of LGA were significantly higher in obese women: e.g. 14.5 vs 28% at diagnosis, 15.7 vs 26.7% at 32-35 weeks, 15.5 vs 25.0% at birth (p < 0.05 for each comparison). CONCLUSION: The association of maternal glucose values and fetal macrosomia was limited to the fasting glucose values between 32-35 weeks while maternal obesity appeared to be a strong risk factor for macrosomia throughout pregnancies with GDM. In obese women the high fetal macrosomia rate did not appear be normalized by therapy based on maternal euglycemia.     

Maternal low birth weight and gestational hyperglycemia

We aimed to investigate whether birth weight could predict the subsequent risk of gestational diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. Consecutive women with a singleton pregnancy and gestational diabetes (n = 50) ,impaired glucose tolerance (n = 50) and normoglycemia (n = 200) were included in the study. Birth data were collected from original hospital records of the women. Women with gestational hyperglycemia were significantly older and heavier than those with normoglycemia. Maternal birth weights significantly declined for each class of glucose tolerance (3389 ± 644; 3184 ± 583 and 3077 ± 661 ,respectively for women with normoglycemia ,impaired glucose tolerance and gestational diabetes). After adjustment for age ,gestational age and weight gain ,maternal diabetes ,and pre-pregnancy body mass index ,maternal birth weight was negatively related to impaired glucose tolerance (OR 0.88 ,95% CI 0.81-0.97) and to gestational diabetes (OR 0.82 ,95% CI 0.74-0.91) in a multiple logistic regression model. These findings suggest that women with low birth weight constitute a group at increased risk for both gestational impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes.     

Maternal low birth weight and gestational hyperglycemia.

We aimed to investigate whether birth weight could predict the subsequent risk of gestational diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. Consecutive women with a singleton pregnancy and gestational diabetes (n = 50), impaired glucose tolerance (n = 50) and normoglycemia (n = 200) were included in the study. Birth data were collected from original hospital records of the women. Women with gestational hyperglycemia were significantly older and heavier than those with normoglycemia. Maternal birth weights significantly declined for each class of glucose tolerance (3389 +/- 644; 3184 +/- 583 and 3077 +/- 661, respectively for women with normoglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance and gestational diabetes). After adjustment for age, gestational age and weight gain, maternal diabetes, and pre-pregnancy body mass index, maternal birth weight was negatively related to impaired glucose tolerance (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.97) and to gestational diabetes (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74-0.91) in a multiple logistic regression model. These findings suggest that women with low birth weight constitute a group at increased risk for both gestational impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes.     

Risk factors of abnormal carbohydrate metabolism after pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: In gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) abnormal glucose metabolism normalizes soon after delivery. However, the history of GDM predisposes to carbohydrate intolerance in the future. The aim of the study was to explore risk factors and to evaluate risk of glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus in women with a history of GDM. Methods: 155 patients entered this case-control study. Participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria: a history of GDM, perinatal care in the study center. Medical and family history and laboratory findings were analyzed. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Results: 18.1% of patients presented impaired fasting glucose during the study, 20% presented impaired glucose tolerance and 23.2% presented diabetes mellitus. Gestational age at diagnosis of GDM, the results of OGTT during pregnancy, serum HbA1c concentration at 2nd and 3rd trimester, serum fructosamine concentration, symptoms of diabetic fetopathy in the neonate, the need for insulin therapy after delivery, maternal age at diagnosis of GDM and maternal body mass index before pregnancy were the significant risk factors of impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes in the future. Conclusion: GDM increases the risk of diabetes mellitus. Several risk factors of impaired carbohydrate metabolism can be distinguished in patients with a history of GDM.     

Prolactin and glucose tolerance in normal and gestational diabetic pregnancy

The relationship between the deterioration of glucose tolerance and plasma prolactin (PRL) levels was investigated in 15 normal pregnant women and in 15 women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in late pregnancy and postpartum, and the insulin, glucagon, and PRL responses were measured. In late pregnancy the gestational diabetics revealed significantly elevated fasting glucose levels compared with the normal pregnant women and after the glucose challenge their insulin responses were significantly diminished and the suppression of glucagon less pronounced. These differences in glucose metabolism were markedly reduced early postpartum. There was no difference in basal PRL concentrations between the two groups neither in pregnancy nor postpartum. The PRL levels were not altered during the oral glucose tolerance tests and no correlation between the deterioration of glucose tolerance and the PRL concentrations could be demonstrated in either group. These results indicate that abnormal PRL levels are not of pathophysiologic importance for the development of gestational diabetes mellitus.     

Amniotic Fluid Insulin Values in Women with Gestational Diabetes as a Predictor of Emerging Diabetes Mellitus

Summary: Amniotic fluid insulin levels were estimated in 30 women with insulin-dependent diabetes, 216 with gestational diabetes and 27 with normal glucose tolerance. Results were correlated with birth-weight, incidences of fetal macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycaemia, and the risk of the mothers with gestational diabetes developing diabetes mellitus on follow-up.
The women with prepregnaney diabetes had significantly higher amniotic fluid insulin values and showed a significant correlation between raised liquor insulin values (>97th percentile) and hypoglycaemia in the infant (p = 0.039).
In the gestational diabetic pregnancies there were highly significant associations between elevated liquor insulin values and macrosomia (p <0.0045) and birth-weight (p <0.00004), and a weak correlation with neonatal blood glucose levels (p = 0.042).
Women with gestational diabetes who later developed permanent diabetes mellitus had higher mean amniotic fluid insulin levels than those whose glucose tolerance remained normal on follow-up (p ≤0.0072) and more of them had a level greater than the 97th percentile than those whose glucose tolerance remained normal (odds ratio 6.48, 95% confidence interval 1.51–27.8, p = 0.0094). However a high amniotic fluid insulin level was of less clinical value for detection of women destined to develop diabetes (7 of 25, 28%) than was the need for insulin therapy during pregnancy (18 of 39, 46%) .     

Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Pregnancy - Is It of Consequence?

Summary: This study was done to determine if impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy was associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and if so, whether the increased morbidity was due to the confounding factors of increased maternal age and maternal obesity. It was a retrospective analysis to compare 944 women with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in pregnancy with 10,065 women without abnormal glucose tolerance. The incidence of impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy was 8.6% in this study. Even when maternal age and obesity were excluded, the IGT group had significantly higher risks of labour induction (relative risk, RR, 1.15); Caesarean section (RR: overall 1.43, elective 1.72, emergency 1.31); Caesarean section for dystocia/no progress (RR 1.60); macrosomia (RR 1.69,1.76,1.61 for birth-weight =97th, 95th, 90th percentiles respectively) and shoulder dystocia (RR 2.84) when compared to the nondiabetics (NDM). The risks of hypertensive disease (RR 1.22) and Caesarean section for fetal distress/thick meconium-stained liquor (RR 1.53) were also higher in the IGT group but these increases were not statistically significant when maternal age and obesity were excluded. There was no significant difference in the rates of low Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes between the 2 groups.     

Family history of diabetes mellitus and oral glucose tolerance testing criteria

A review of 185 obstetrical patients, having a family history of diabetes mellitus without medical history of glucose intolerance in the non-pregnant state was conducted. A 3-hour 100-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed on all patients between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation. According to O'Sullivan's criteria for glucose tolerance testing, normal glucose tolerance occurred in 89.7%, while Class A diabetes was identified in 10.3% of patients tested. 3.8% of the study population fulfilled the O'Sullivan criteria for abnormal glucose intolerance and required insulin treatment during pregnancy. The Division of Perinatal Medicine at Duke University has traditionally defined the abnormal glucose tolerance test at glucose values lower than O'Sullivan's internationally accepted criteria. An intermediate group, having abnormal glucose values according to the Duke criteria, was classified as "Carbohydrate Intolerance", comprised 32.4% of the patients tested and were managed identically to O'Sullivan Class A Diabetes. Analysis or perinatal outcome, including macrosomia, birth trauma and neonatal morbidity, revealed that Carbohydrate Intolerance patients fulfilling O'Sullivan criteria, being similar to patients with 'normal' GTT test results. Patients having a family history of diabetes mellitus, appeared as a group to be at increased risk for macrosomia, fetal distress and cesarean delivery, compared with the general population.