Atlantic DIP: the prevalence and consequences of gestational diabetes in Ireland.

ATLANTIC DIP carried out a universal screening programme for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) along the Irish Atlantic seaboard. Using a 75g OGTT and new International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) cut off points for diagnosis we found the prevalence of GDM to be 12.4%. Pregnancies complicated by GDM displayed increased morbidities for mother and infant when compared to women who had normal glucose tolerance. With rising obesity levels and older age of mothers, both risk factors for GDM, these results would support a national universal screening programme.