Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: An Update

Detecting the evidence of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy is a major challenge as the condition is associated with diverse range of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Various screening guidelines have been introduced depending upon the suitability of test to the population characteristics, cost and screening accuracy. Still there are lots of controversies as to which test to be used, when should the screening be done and on whom it should be applied. Multiplicity of the guidelines given is the reflection of lack of available evidence demonstrating a benefit of specified health outcome with any of national and international standard screening criteria. Till the search for ideal screening strategy is ongoing, factors like clinical judgement and available resources play important role in choosing best possible mode for evaluation of glucose intolerance in pregnant women.