Should all pregnant women be screened for gestational glucose intolerance?

Overview

Although gestational glucose intolerance is associated with the remote development of diabetes mellitus, the risk to the mother during the index pregnancy and the risk to her fetus remain uncertain. Nevertheless, universal screening for gestational glucose intolerance has many strong advocates. The scientific data supporting a universal screening programme--showing that treatment of gestational glucose intolerance does more good than harm--are limited. Until the evidence can be extended beyond that on infant birthweight, a more restrained approach than universal screening may be appropriate.