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World J Diabetes. Oct 15, 2026; 17(10): 117696
Published online Oct 15, 2026. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v17.i10.117696
Published online Oct 15, 2026. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v17.i10.117696
Glycated hemoglobin and risk stratification in gestational diabetes: An editorial perspective
Ravindranath Reddy, Department of Endocrinology, Vasavi Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, Kurnool 518005, Andhra Pradesh, India
Saptarshi Bhattacharya, Department of Endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi 110076, Delhi, India
Author contributions: Bhattacharya S conceptualized and edited the manuscript; Reddy R and Bhattacharya S reviewed and synthesized the relevant literature; Reddy R prepared the initial manuscript. Both authors approved the final version and take responsibility for the content.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Saptarshi Bhattacharya, Department of Endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Sarita Vihar, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110076, Delhi, India.
Received: December 15, 2025
Revised: January 16, 2026
Accepted: February 11, 2026
Published online: October 15, 2026
Processing time: 293 Days and 13.2 Hours
Revised: January 16, 2026
Accepted: February 11, 2026
Published online: October 15, 2026
Processing time: 293 Days and 13.2 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is unreliable for diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) because pregnancy alters red cell turnover and induces hematologic variability, yet rising evidence suggests it may still offer prognostic value. Early-pregnancy HbA1c above 5.9% predicts later GDM, while mid- and late-pregnancy values above 5.7-5.9 percent correlate with fetal overgrowth, hypertensive disorders, cesarean delivery, and postpartum dysglycemia. Although not a replacement for the oral glucose tolerance test, HbA1c may help identify women at heightened metabolic risk. More studies are needed before HbA1c can be integrated into risk-stratification algorithms for GDM care.