Gestational Diabetes: Diagnosis and Daily Caloric Recommendations
Page by: E.J. Mayeaux, Jr., M.D.
Louisiana State University Medical Center Shreveport, Louisiana
Three-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test: Normal Values During Pregnancy
Two abnormal values are required to make the diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
Time Plasma glucose level*
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Fasting Less than 105 mg/dL (5.8 mmol per L)
1 hour Less than 190 mg/dL (10.6 mmol per L)
2 hours Less than 165 mg/dL (9.2 mmol per L)
3 hours Less than 145 mg/dL (8.1 mmol per L)
Adapted from Dickinson JE. Semin Perinatol 1990;14:2-11.
Daily Caloric Recommendations for Patients with Gestational Diabetes
- Current weight
Daily caloric intake
- Less than 80% of ideal body weight (IBW)
35 to 40 kcal per kg of present body weight
- 80 to 120% of IBW
30 kcal per kg of present body weight
- 120 to 150% of IBW
24 kcal per kg of present body weight
- Greater than 150% of IBW
12 to 15 kcal per kg of present body weight
Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetes Mellitus in the Nonpregnant Patient
- Fasting (on 2 separate occasions) - 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) or higher is a positive test.
- Fasting 2-hour glucose tolerance test
After 75 g glucose load, blood is drawn at 30, 60 and 120 minutes. Diagnosis requires two abnormal values, one of which must be at 2 hours.
200 mg per dL (11.1mmol per L) or higher is a positive test.
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