Waist circumference in predicting gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: To evaluate waist circumference (WC) measured at 20–24 weeks of gestation as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 240 women at 20–24 weeks of gestation. At enrollment, WC was measured, and both prepregnancy and gestational body mass index (BMI) were estimated. According to the results of 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) performed at 24–28 weeks, subjects were allocated into two groups, non-GDM and GDM. WC sensitivity and specificity, and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals for BMI and WC were estimated, and a receiver operating characteristics curve was generated.

Results: Of the 240 pregnant women enrolled, 31 (13%) had GDM. Prepregnancy BMI (OR = 4.21), gestational BMI (OR = 3.17) and WC at 20–24 weeks (OR = 4.02) correlated with GDM risk. At 20–24 weeks, a WC of 85.5–88.5 cm was the optimal cutoff point for predicting GDM (Sens/Spec balance between 87.1/41.1% and 77.4/56.9%).

Conclusion: At 20–24 weeks of gestation, WC values in the range of 86–88 cm showed to be a good performance in predicting GDM.

• Gestational diabetes mellitus
• risk factor
• waist circumference

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to (i) Sabin Laboratory and Sabin Institute Research Support Nucleus for the performance of the diagnostic tests and (ii) Research Support Group of Botucatu Medical School/UNESO for their guidance in statistical analysis.