Use of fluoride oxalate tubes to monitor the accuracy of home capillary glucose measurements during pregnancy

Abstract

Tight control of glycaemia during gestation is the mainstay of antenatal care in women with diabetes. This relies heavily on blood glucose monitoring. A simple technique for assessing the accuracy of the patients' own blood glucose monitoring is described. The method involves patients collecting a few drops of blood in fluoride oxalate-coated plastic capillary tubes, which they store in their own refrigerator before delivery for laboratory analysis on the day of the antenatal clinic assessment. The readings can be compared with blood glucose monitor readings recorded by the patient and subsequently used by clinicians and nurses to guide therapy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.