GDM vs “Early” GDM vs PrePreg DM: A Proposal

As BMIs and weights increase across the US population, there have been increased calls for universal screening for existing DM at entrance to prenatal care, if under 20 weeks. Others, including the ACOG, prefer to screen early those with additional risk factors (like prior GDM HX, prior macrosomia, BMI >30, PCOS, first degree relative with diabetes, or age >40). In July 2024, the ACOG released its publication, “Screening for Gestational and Pregestational Diabetes in Pregnancy and Postpartum”. In this guidance, it states, “At this time, there are insufficient data to support the best screening modality for pregestational diabetes in pregnancy, but consideration can be made to use the same diagnostic criteria as for the nonpregnant population (A1c value 6.5 or higher, or fasting plasma glucose value 126 mg/dL or higher, or 2-hour plasma glucose value 200 mg/dL or higher during a 75-g OGTT, or random plasma glucose value 200 mg/dL or higher in patients with classic hyperglycemia symptoms)”. However, a new proposed protocol has been published in AJOG for early screening for DM in pregnancy. This also describes the differences in diagnosis and care for Standard GDM diagnosed at 24-28 weeks, vs a diagnosis of pregestational DM diagnosis made prior to 20-weeks vs “early” GDM also diagnosed under 20 weeks of gestation. Listen in for details.

1. McLaren, Rodney et al.nA Proposed Classification of Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 0, Issue 0. Epub Feb 2, 2026; https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(26)00061-X/fulltext

2. ACOG Clinical Practice Update: Screening for Gestational and Pregestational Diabetes in Pregnancy and Postpartum; July 2024; https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/abstract/2024/07000/acog_clinical_practice_update__screening_for.34.aspx

3. Simmons, David et al. “Treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Diagnosed Early in Pregnancy.” The New England journal of medicine vol. 388,23 (2023): 2132-2144. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2214956