• Laura I Stirrat, Fiona C Denison, Corinne D B Love, Robert S Lindsay, and Rebecca M Reynolds.
• Clinical Research Fellow, Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK; Simpsons Centre for Reproductive Health, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.
• Scot Med J. 2015 Feb 1; 60 (1): 37-43.

Background And AimsThe last study of screening practices for gestational diabetes (GDM) in the UK concluded that a lack of consensus about screening was due to a lack of clinical guidelines. We aimed to determine current practices in Scotland since new guidelines recommended that diagnosis should be made at a lower level of hyperglycaemia.Method And ResultsAn online questionnaire designed to investigate the screening and management of GDM was distributed to all maternity units in Scotland managing women with GDM (n = 15) for completion by relevant clinical team members. The response rate was 100%. Considerable variation in clinical practice existed between units. Thirteen units (86.7%) had adopted the lower glucose tolerance values for diagnosis of GDM (fasting ≥5.1 mmol/L; 2-h ≥8.5 mmol/L) recommended by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network in 2010. Available data from units using this guideline (n = 3) revealed a significant increase in the percentage of women diagnosed with GDM between 2010 and 2012 (2010: 1.28%, 2012: 2.54%; p < 0.0001).ConclusionDespite provision of clinical guidelines, there are still inconsistencies in screening and management of GDM in Scotland. If a similar increase in the prevalence of GDM is experienced across Scotland, there will be major implications for health care provision and resource allocation.© The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

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