Follow-up of postpartum women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

•GDM is an early warning sign of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).•We investigated the follow-up of women with GDM in Tianjin, China.•Most women with GDM are not screened for type 2 diabetes after delivery in China.

AimThe incidence of type 2 diabetes in postpartum women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is high, and blood glucose screening for postpartum women is recommended. Follow-up procedures for women with GDM in the postnatal period need to be improved. We investigated the incidence of GDM and the follow-up of women with GDM in Tianjin, China.MethodsPostpartum women who delivered at Tianjin Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from January 1st, 2008 to December 31st, 2010 were interviewed by telephone about their blood glucose screening. Thirty obstetricians were interviewed to evaluate awareness about the importance of follow-up.ResultsThe incidence rate of GDM increased from 6.9% in 2008, to 8.8% in 2009, and 9.9% in 2010. A total of 2152 women were interviewed, including 282 women (13.1%) screened for blood glucose. The top three reasons for failed blood glucose screening included: not being informed by their physicians, believing that GDM would disappear after delivery, and being occupied with the baby. Methods for GDM screening included testing of random blood glucose levels, fasting blood glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance, and glycosylated hemoglobin. Of the 30 obstetricians interviewed, 25 were aware of the need for blood glucose screening for women with GDM after delivery, but only 15 of them had informed their patients.ConclusionIn China, most women with GDM are not screened for type 2 diabetes after delivery. Standard clinical procedures that will enable and encourage all women to return for glucose screening following GDM are needed.