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Intensive Monitoring and
Treatment Required for Gestational Diabetes
posted 02/16/2006
10 readings a day required to
maintain good readings.
A group of researchers led by Dr Anneloes Kerssen of the University Medical
Centre Utrecht in the Netherlands, determined the optimal target HbA1c levels
and the use of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in pregnant women with
type 1 diabetes. A total of 43 women were asked to use a continuous glucose
monitoring system (CGMS) once in each trimester in addition to SMBG. Results
were compared among women with HbA1c levels of 4.0-6.0%, 6.0-7.0%, and >7.0%.
Correlations between SMBG and CGMS measurements were made among women with 4-5,
6-9, or 10 or more SMBG measurements daily.
The researchers found that glucose concentrations obtained by CGMS were significantly better in patients with a HbA1c level of 6.0% or lower, compared with those with HbA1c>6.0%. No difference in glucose concentrations by CGMS were found between women with HbA1c 6.0-7.0% or >7.0%. Hyper- and hypoglycemic episodes were more readily detected in patients with 10 or more SMBG measurements daily, compared with those with fewer daily measurements.
The researchers concluded that, for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes,
optimal glycemic control required a target HbA1c level of 6.0% or lower, and
that at least 10 SMBG measurements daily were necessary to accurately reflect
daily fluctuations in glucose concentrations.