Screening and diagnosis for gestational diabetes mellitus among Chippewa women in northern Minnesota.

We reviewed prenatal records of Chippewa women residing on two Minnesota reservations to define the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to describe the screening and diagnosis practices for GDM according to National Diabetes Data Group Criteria. Of the 554 pregnancies included in the study, six (1%) involved women with preexisting diabetes mellitus and 32 (5.8%) with GDM. In 24 (4.3%) of the pregnancies, the women were misclassified as having GDM. Women completed screening and/or testing during 450 (82%) of the pregnancies-by 32 weeks gestation for 401 (73%). This is of 548 pregnancies that could potentially have involved GDM. Women with incomplete screening and/or testing were older and of higher parity than those who completed negative screening and/or testing (p<0.05). Chippewa Indian women in northern Minnesota experienced GDM at rates higher than most other U.S. populations. Screening rates for GDM were high, but some high-risk women were not screened. Programs targeting high-risk women for timely and accurate diagnosis of GDM are needed in this primary care setting.