Assessment Postpartum Glucose Status among Women with Gestational Diabetes: Experience of a Sub-Saharan African Endocrinology Department

Background: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a significantly increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes after delivery. The purpose of this study was to determine the postpartum glycemic status among women with GDM in an Endocrinology-Diabetology department in Sub-Saharan Area. Methods: It was a prospective cohort study conducted between January 1, 2013, and July 31, 2018 (over period of 5 years and 7 months) at Pikine National Hospital, Dakar, Senegal. Postpartum glucose status was evaluated at least 6 weeks post-partum among women with history of GDM according to IADPSG criteria. The glycemic status after delivery was pointed referring to 2006 WHO criteria. Results: Overall 53 patients were included in this study. Fasting plasma glucose was performed as a screening test in 94% of the cases. A type 2 diabetes after GDM as diagnosed in 6 patients, accounting for a prevalence of 11.32%. An Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) was revealed in 5 patients (9.43%). The patients underwent a screening test in the first year after delivery in 54.70% of the cases, over a half of whom during the post-partum period range from the 6th to the 12th week. Insulin usage during pregnancy was statistically correlated with the occurrence of postpartum diabetes. Conclusion: Diabetes prevention and early diagnosis require a glycemic status monitoring among women with history of GDM.