A team of researchers at the Northwestern University in Illinois recently revealed that blood sugar levels which were once considered "normal" for pregnant women are not safe for either the mother or the baby.

Boyd Metzger, lead author of the study, in association with a team of 50 international experts, reached at the conclusion that a fasting blood sugar reading of 92 or higher, a one hour level of 180 or more on a glucose tolerance test or a two hour level of 153 or higher could mean serious risks to the mother and the baby.

Previously, these readings had been considered as being safe and in the normal range, and two elevated levels were required for a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

The new reading means that instead of 5-8% of pregnant women being diagnosed with gestational diabetes, over 16% would be diagnosed with the problem.

"At these levels, the frequency of having an overweight baby is almost double, the frequency of having preeclampsia is almost double, and the frequency of early delivery is 40 percent greater. These are really substantial differences", Mr. Metzger said.

Details of the study have been published in the March issue of Diabetes Care.