High Glucose Without GDM Linked to Poorer Birth Outcomes

Follow Drugslib on

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com

via HealthDay

FRIDAY, May 22, 2026 -- Having a failed glucose challenge test (GCT) concentration without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with a higher risk for preterm birth and large for gestational age (LGA), according to a study published in the May issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Amrita Arcot, Ph.D., from The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, and colleagues examined the relationships between GCT concentrations and GDM with fetal growth and gestational age at birth in a retrospective cohort study using medical record data from 10,899 pregnancies where the placenta was sent for pathology. Glucose groups were categorized as pass GCT/no GDM (control), fail GCT/no GDM, and GDM.

Overall, 5 percent of the placentas sent to pathology were from pregnancies diagnosed with GDM. The researchers found that compared with control, the fail GCT/no GDM and GDM groups had a marginally higher birth weight z-score (adjusted mean difference, 0.14 and 0.19, respectively). A nearly three-day mean difference in gestational age was seen for the GDM group (−2.88). The risks for LGA and preterm birth were 41 and 27 percent higher for patients in the fail GCT/no GDM group; the risk for LGA was 71 percent higher for patients in the GDM group, but the risk for preterm birth was not significantly different.

"The current cutoffs for glucose values are helpful to make a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, but glucose values are on a continuum, and -- based on these results -- clinical outcomes might also be on a continuum," coauthor Kelly Gallagher, Ph.D., also from The Pennsylvania State University, said in a statement.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2026-05-23 02:29

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords