Abstract
Objective This study aimed to perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to investigate
if women with a low 50-g, 1-hour glucose challenge test (GCT) value are at risk for
having neonates with a birth weight less than the 10th percentile.
Study Design A computerized literature search was conducted to identify studies that compared
outcomes of pregnant women with a low GCT value versus women with a normal GCT value
during routine screening for gestational diabetes.
Results Sixteen cohort studies were included for analysis. Women with a low GCT value were
noted to have a 43% increased odds of having neonates with birth weight less than
the 10th percentile (odds ratio [OR]: 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28–1.60)
and 30% increased odds of having neonates with a birth weight less than 2,500 g (OR:
1.3; 95% CI: 1.0–1.7) when compared with women with a normal GCT value. The rates
of preterm delivery, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, pregnancy-induced
hypertension (PIH)/preeclampsia, respiratory distress, NICU, and Apgar scores less
than 7 were similar in the two groups.
Conclusion A low GCT value defined as less than 90 mg/dL identifies pregnancies at elevated
risk for having neonates with a birth weight less than the 10th percentile.
Keywords
glucose challenge test - maternal hypoglycemia - low birth weight - maternal and neonatal
outcomes
