Screening for biomarkers predictive of gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Screening for glucose intolerance during pregnancy provides an opportunity to offer management to those women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus. However, there is a need to diagnose gestational diabetes early to minimize exposure of the developing fetus to suboptimal conditions and prevent perinatal complications and their sequelae. The purpose of this study was to identify potential biomarkers for impending gestational diabetes that appear in the plasma before impaired glucose tolerance. Pregnant women were prospectively recruited to the study and blood was collected at the first antenatal visit and at the time of routine oral glucose tolerance test. Women diagnosed with gestatio..