Glycosylated serum protein level as a screening and diagnostic test for gestational diabetes mellitus

The utility of a single test to identify women at risk for gestational diabetes

A number of single tests have been proposed as both screening and definitive tests of glucose intolerance during pregnancy. Despite limitations imposed by a lack of uniformity in methodology and definitions of gestational diabetes mellitus, there appears to be an independent relationship between some single-test results and clinically meaningful outcomes. Further study is needed to identify those glucose values above which women and their babies who are at risk for glycemia-related adverse outcomes may be identified.

Screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes

This chapter discusses the evidence for the existence of an entity called 'gestational diabetes', suggesting that it can be understood in terms of risk to the pregnancy and/or risk to the mother. Various diagnostic criteria used in various parts of the world are described, and a rationale for using pregnancy-specific criteria is put forth. Universal screening approaches are also characterized. Barriers to the universal adoption of a single screening scheme and set of diagnostic criteria are outlined.

Serum fructosamine is not a useful screening test for gestational diabetes

Serum fructosamine was measured in 569 samples of pregnant women without gestational diabetes. We defined abnormal fructosamine as mean + 2SD, and analysed its potential value to detect patients with gestational diabetes diagnosed with current screening criteria. We found serum fructosamine to be an insensitive parameter: Measured at the time of a positive 50 g glucose screening, SF would have detected 4/48 gestational diabetes.

Fructosamine as a screening-test for gestational diabetes mellitus: a reappraisal

Fructosamine, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum total proteins were measured in normal nondiabetic pregnant women (n = 170) at three stages of pregnancy (14-18, 24-28, and 32-40 weeks of gestation). No significant correlation was found between fructosamine and either HbA1c or total plasma proteins. Only early in pregnancy (less than 20 weeks of gestation) was a correlation found between fructosamine and fasting blood glucose (r = 0.40, P less than 0.05). There was also no correlation between either tests (i.e. fructosamine and HbA1c) and fetal birthweight. The value of fructosamine measurement in the detection of diabetes in pregnancy was further tested in a group of high-risk patients (n = 98) for developing carbohydrate intolerance. It is concluded that fructosamine has limited value as a screening test for gestational diabetes mellitus, particularly for the mild form of the glucose intolerance.

Plasma fructosamine in non-diabetic pregnancy

Plasma fructosamine and its relation to plasma total protein and albumin was examined in 40 non-diabetic pregnant women. Plasma fructosamine did not correlate with haemoglobin A1 or plasma albumin. The mean intra-individual ranges were plasma fructosamine 0.53 mmol/l (SD 0.17); haemoglobin A1 1.42% (SD 0.42); plasma fructosamine/g albumin 0.024 mmol (SD 0.005) and plasma fructosamine/g total protein 0.008 mmol (SD 0.003). A high degree of individuality for these variables was also observed.