Are the WHO (1980) criteria for the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test appropriate for pregnant women?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the normal response to a 75 g glucose challenge in the context of an oral glucose tolerance test in the third trimester of pregnancy. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Antenatal clinic, Kandang Kerbau Hospital, Singapore. SUBJECTS: Sixty-four normal pregnant women with a low risk for diabetes. INTERVENTIONS: Glucose (75 g) challenge following an overnight fast after 28 weeks of gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Venous plasma glucose levels taken before and 2 h after the glucose challenge. RESULTS: Upper limits of normality were found to be fasting glucose 4.9 mmol/l and 2 h glucose 9.2 mmol/l. CONCLUSION: The WHO (1980) criteria should not be used in pregnancy.