Screening for pregestational and gestational diabetes in pregnancy: a survey of obstetrical centers in the northern part of Belgium

BACKGROUND: There is lack of consensus concerning the best screening strategy for gestational diabetes (GDM). The aim of our survey was therefore to investigate attitudes and practices of all obstetrical centers in the northern part of Belgium regarding screening for pregestational diabetes in early pregnancy and screening for GDM. We also aimed to identify the penetrance of the ‘International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups’ (IADPSG) screening strategy for GDM. METHODS: The survey was conducted from May 2012 till January 2013. The survey was distributed to every obstetrical center in the northern part of Belgium by email and/or mail with reminders by phone and personal contact. RESULTS: From the 65 obstetrical centers, 69% responded. Of all centers, 27% had a structured database on the number of women with GDM. Of all centers, 82% screened for pregestational diabetes in early pregnancy and 56% of centers screened for GDM before 24 weeks. Screening before 24 weeks was mostly based on risk factors. Screening for GDM after 24 weeks, was done universally in 87% of centers. The mean estimated prevalence of GDM was 7 ± 5%. The most commonly used screening strategy was a two-step approach with a glucose challenge test (GCT) and 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), used by 56% of centers, with 23 centers using the Carpenter & Coustan criteria. The 75 g OGTT with the IADPSG criteria was used by 33% of centers but 4 of these centers still used a GCT before proceeding to the full OGTT. CONCLUSIONS: This survey demonstrates that in the northern part of Belgium, there still is a large variation in screening strategy for pregestational diabetes in early pregnancy and GDM. Only 25% of centers have already implemented the one-step IADPSG screening strategy.