Study ref Design LoE N Questions and studies Findings Comments () SLR I 64 Question: What risk factors are associated with A number of key risk factors suggest an studies increased risk of developing gestational increased risk of gestational diabetes? diabetes. Studies: A total of 6 systematic reviews and 58 additional observational studies were Increasing maternal age (≥25 years) identified. Comparison of studies is difficult as Increasing parity they differed in thresholds for the detection of Ethnicity (but not in isolation) hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, study design A family history of diabetes, in particular and definitions of outcomes. In general the in a first degree relative overall quality of the evidence is considered to A previous pregnancy affected by GDM be very low. Previous or current macrosomic or large Summary: Some women with no known risk for gestational age infant factors may still be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Risk factor screening would fail to Increasing BMI identify these women. For women with There is probably interaction between risk probable undiagnosed diabetes, the risk of factors that predisposes women to GDM adverse outcomes for mother and infant from rather than any single risk factor. The waiting until 24–28 weeks’ gestation for testing identification of women with increased risk and diagnosis for gestational diabetes (as factor(s) is likely to be of benefit if it is shown currently recommended) is unknown. that preventive interventions are effective in Identification of women with diabetes early in reducing the incidence of GDM pregnancy allows preventive measures to be commenced earlier.
Study ref Design LoE N Questions and studies Findings Comments () SLR I 64 studies Question: What risk factors are associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes? Studies: A total of 6 systematic reviews and 58 additional observational studies were identified. Comparison of studies is difficult as they differed in thresholds for the detection of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, study design and definitions of outcomes. In general the overall quality of the evidence is considered to be very low. Summary: Some women with no known risk factors may still be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Risk factor screening would fail to identify these women. For women with probable undiagnosed diabetes, the risk of adverse outcomes for mother and infant from waiting until 24–28 weeks’ gestation for testing and diagnosis for gestational diabetes (as currently recommended) is unknown. Identification of women with diabetes early in pregnancy allows preventive measures to be commenced earlier. A number of key risk factors suggest an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes. Increasing maternal age (≥25 years) Increasing parity Ethnicity (but not in isolation) A family history of diabetes, in particular in a first degree relative A previous pregnancy affected by GDM Previous or current macrosomic or large for gestational age infant Increasing BMI There is probably interaction between risk factors that predisposes women to GDM rather than any single risk factor. The identification of women with increased risk factor(s) is likely to be of benefit if it is shown that preventive interventions are effective in reducing the incidence of GDM