Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in a South African population : prevalence, comparison of diagnostic criteria and the role of risk factors

BACKGROUND. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing. Most major world organisations now recommend universal screening for GDM based on the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria. Currently there is a lack of consensus on the diagnostic criteria for GDM used in South Africa (SA). The Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa’s revised guidelines recommend the use of the IADPSG criteria for the diagnosis of GDM. OBJECTIVES. To determine the prevalence of GDM in an SA population. We compared the prevalence of GDM using the various diagnostic criteria and evaluated the risk factors associated with GDM. METHODS. This was a prospective cohort observational study carried out at a level 1 clinic in Johannesburg, SA. All pregnant women at