From the Guidelines
Pregnant women with risk factors for diabetes should be tested for undiagnosed prediabetes and diabetes at the first prenatal visit.
Initial Prenatal Care Visit Tests
The following tests are performed during the initial prenatal care visit:
- Screening for undiagnosed prediabetes and diabetes using standard diagnostic criteria in women with risk factors 1
Risk Factors
Women with risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as obesity, race/ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White, and age 35 to 44 years, should be screened for diabetes at the first prenatal visit 1
Diagnostic Criteria
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends using standard diagnostic criteria, such as the one-step or two-step protocol, to diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) 1
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Screening
GDM screening is recommended at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation in pregnant women not previously known to have diabetes 1
From the Research
Initial Prenatal Care Visit Tests
The initial prenatal care visit is a crucial step in ensuring the health and well-being of both the mother and the fetus. Several tests are performed during this visit to identify potential risks and complications. Some of the tests that are commonly performed during the initial prenatal care visit include:
- Laboratory testing, such as blood work and urine tests 2, 3
- Screening for infectious diseases, such as syphilis and HIV 4, 5
- Cervical cancer screening 3
- Flu vaccinations 3
- Vitamin supplementation 3
- Hemoglobin level testing 5
- Malaria diagnostics 5
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus test (HIV) 5
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency testing 5
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) test 5
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) test 5
- Syphilis test 5
- Blood pressure monitoring 5
- Urine protein and urine glucose testing 5
Purpose of Tests
These tests are performed to:
- Identify potential risks and complications early on 2
- Prevent pregnancy complications and predict neonatal and infant medical issues 2
- Ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the fetus 3
- Guide policies targeted at addressing pregnancy-induced health challenges 5
Timing of Tests
Most of these tests are performed during the initial prenatal visit, with some tests being performed at later stages of pregnancy as well 4, 3. The timing of the tests may vary depending on the specific disease and maternal risk factors 2.