Question

Recommended fasting, 1h PP, and 2h PP glucose levels to reduce risk of macrosomia with GDM

Answer 1

To minimize the risk of macrosomia in GDM, the recommended fasting blood glucose should be less than 95 mg/dL, 1h PP should be less than 140 mg/dL, and 2h PP should be less than 120 mg/dL. These target levels aim to simulate normal glucose levels and control maternal blood glucose effectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

To reduce the risk of macrosomia in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), maintaining optimal blood glucose levels is crucial. According to medical guidelines, the recommended glucose levels for GDM patients to minimize this risk are:

• Fasting blood glucose: less than 95 mg/dL
• 1 hour postprandial (1h PP) glucose level: less than 140 mg/dL
• 2 hours postprandial (2h PP) glucose level: less than 120 mg/dL

This management helps ensure that blood glucose levels are sufficiently controlled to reduce the risk of complications such as macrosomia, which is the condition of having a large-bodied baby commonly associated with high maternal blood glucose levels.

These targets are set to closely mimic the blood glucose levels of non-GDM individuals as depicted in Graph-A, as opposed to the persistent high levels shown in Graph-B for individuals with diabetes.