An evaluation of the WHO criteria for abnormaF tolerance test during pregnancy in Nigerian women

Abstract

A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 127 normal Nigerian women between 24 .and 28 weeks of pregnancy. The glucose response at fasting, 1, 2 and 3h were studied. At 2h, the glucose level at 2-SD and 4-SD above the mean were less than the criteria of abnormality recommended by the World Health Organisation: 6.5 inmo 1/1 vs. 8 mmol/1 for impaired glucose tolerance and 8.0 mmol/1 vs. 11.0 mmol/1 for gestational diabetes mellitus. The area under the glucose r«*ponse curve correlated best with the glucose levels at 2h during the OGTT (y = 4.3 + I.8x, r = 0.862). The 75-g OGTT interpreted with the W H O criteria appear not to be appropriate for use in pregnant women in Nigeria.