Jelly beans as an alternative to a cola beverage containing fifty
grams of glucose.
Author
Boyd KL; Ross EK; Sherman SJ
Address
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. John Hospital and Medical
Center, Detroit, Michigan,
USA.
Source
Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1995 Dec, 173:6, 1889-92
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to test the diagnostic value and patient
tolerance of jelly beans as an
alternative to a 50 gm glucose solution.
STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant women
between 26 to 30
weeks of gestation confirmed by early ultrasonography were recruited
to participate in the study.
Each participant was given a cola beverage containing 50 gm of
glucose. The plasma glucose level
was determined 1 hour later. Within 2 weeks of the 50 gm glucose test,
each patient ate 18 jelly
beans and had her plasma glucose levels tested after 1 hour. Finally,
within 2 weeks of the jelly bean
test a 100 gm, 3-hour glucose tolerance test was performed on each
subject. The results of the
3-hour test were used to define the presence or absence of gestational
diabetes and carbohydrate
intolerance by the criteria of The American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists. Patient
tolerance was rated by responses to questions regarding side effects.
RESULTS: One hundred
fifty-seven women completed the study. The mean maternal age,
gravidity, parity, and number of
abortions were 26.06 years, 2.66, 0.96, and 0.69. By use of a 140
mg/dl threshold, the sensitivity,
specificity, and positive predictive value of the cola beverage was
46%, 81%, and 18%. These
values at a 120 mg/dl threshold for jelly beans were 54%, 81%, and
20%, respectively. The patient
tolerance was greater for the jelly beans compared with the 50 gm cola
beverage.
CONCLUSION:
Jelly beans may serve as an alternative to a cola beverage containing
50 gm of glucose.
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