What role does the HbA1c play in pregnancy?
One complication in pregnancy is pregnancy-induced GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus). This is a diabetes that first appears during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery. The reason for this is the change in hormones during pregnancy.
However, HbA1c plays a subordinate role here: For screening of GDM, a 50-glucose challenge test (GCT) or fasting blood glucose measurement is performed in the 24th -28th week of pregnancy. Normal blood glucose is also measured during the course of the pregnancy, since GDM usually only exists during pregnancy and an exact course is not of major importance. However, if diabetes mellitus type II is also suspected or the GDM occurs before the 24th week of pregnancy, the HbA1c value must always be determined.
