Gestational diabetes mellitus-universal versus selective screening

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing globally and Indian population is found to be ethnically in high risk group. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) offers a unique and valuable opportunity for the development and implementation of clinical strategies for future prevention of diabetes. There is immense need for optimal screening strategies to spot out women with gestational diabetes.Methods: Prospective case study.1000 pregnant women were recruited into the study at an early gestational age (26 years. labor outcome by caesarean section in GDM cases was up to 60% and 51.3% being elective sections. On the whole neonatal outcome was satisfactory.Conclusions: As Indian population are ethnically more prone for diabetes, there is immense need to adopt universal screening for GDM in pregnancy. Thus, a timely action can be taken as depicted in the present study by screening all pregnant women, irrespective of the presence/absence of risk factors