Cross-sectional Association of First-Trimester HbA1c > 5.4% and GDM Diagnosis in a High-Risk Population

This retrospective cross-sectional study of 729 pregnant adults examined the relationship between first-trimester glycosylated hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) levels (≤5.4% vs >5.4%) and a gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis in a high-risk population. GDM diagnosis was significantly higher in the HbA 1c > 5.4% group (n = 45, 34.1%) than in the HbA 1c ≤ 5.4% group (n = 119, 19.9%; P < .01). HbA 1c > 5.4% was independently associated with a higher risk of GDM diagnosis (aOR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.10-2.64; P = .018). Identifying early risk factors for GDM offers more intervention options to improve patient outcomes. However, this finding warrants further investigation.