When are we Going to Settle the Diagnostic Criteria of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus?

Guidelines to diagnose Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) have changed a number of times from O'Sullivan and Mahan, Carpenter and Coustan, World Health Organization, American Diabetes Association to that of International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG). The IADPSG guideline was based on Hyperglycaemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study which was performed in caucasian population only and thus literally cannot be considered as international. Recently a study commented that this guideline needs revision for standardization of this strategy for diagnosing GDM. Based on a prospective study, Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group India (DIPSI) recommended A single step procedure of diagnosing GDM with 2hr PG > 140 mg/dl after 75g of oral glucose administered irrespective of the last meal timing. This guideline has been approved by the Ministry of Health Government of India, WHO, IDF and Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians Society (FIGO). National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) also recognises cut off value, 2hr PG > 140 mg/dl based on a study in multi ethnic population of UK. Hence, we can safely conclude, A Single Step procedure has settled the criteria for diagnosing GDM.