Prevalence Of Newly Detected Diabetes In Pregnancy In Qatar, Using Universal Screening

BackgroundDiabetes first detected during pregnancy is currently divided into gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and diabetes mellitus (DM)- most of which are type 2 DM (T2DM). This study aims to define the prevalence and outcomes of diabetes first detected in pregnancy based on 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)using the recent WHO/IADPSG guidelines in a high-risk population.MethodsThis is a retrospective study that included all patients who underwent a 75 g (OGTT between Jan 2016 and Apr 2016 and excluded patients with known pre-conception diabetes.ResultsThe overall prevalence of newly detected diabetes in pregnancy among the 2000 patients who fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria was 24.0% (95% CI 22.1-25.9) of which T2DM was 2.5% (95% CI 1.9-3.3), and GDM was 21.5% (95% CI 19.7-23.3). The prevalence of newly detected diabetes in pregnancy was similar among the different ethnic groups.The T2DM group was older (mean age in years was 34 +/- 5.7 vs 31.7:6.7 vs 29.7 +/- 5.7, p<0.001); and has a higher mean BMI (32.4 +/- 6.4 kg/m2 vs 31.7 +/- 6.2 kg/m2 vs 29.7:6.2 kg/m2, p< 0.01) than the GDM and the non-DM groups, respectively. The frequency of preeclampsia, pre-term delivery, Caesarean-section, macrosomia, LGA and neonatal ICU admissions were significantly higher in the T2DM group compared to GDM and non-DM groups.ConclusionDiabetes first detected in pregnancy is equally prevalent among the various ethnic groups residing in Qatar. Newly detected T2DM carries a higher risk of poor pregnancy outcomes; stressing the importance of proper classification of cases of newly detected diabetes in pregnancy.