Fructosamine in diabetic pregnancy.

Fructosamine, an indicator of glycosylated serum protein, was measured in 79 non-diabetic pregnant women and 20 women with gestational diabetes. The test provided a clear discrimination between groups; it detected 17 (85%) of the women with gestational diabetes and gave only 4 (5%) false-positive results. 19 women with established diabetes before pregnancy had very high levels. Maternal fructosamine at 29 weeks' gestation correlated significantly with both fasting blood glucose levels at the time and birthweight ratio. Levels of fructosamine in cord blood were significantly higher in gestational diabetic than in normal pregnancies, suggesting a possible additional role for fructosamine in retrospectively detecting the hyperglycaemic fetus. Fructosamine estimation is fully automated and may provide a simple, inexpensive means to screen for diabetes in pregnancy.