Afamin Levels in First Trimester Pregnancies With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an endocrinopathy that occurs during pregnancy, and presents several clinical findings together with increased blood glucose levels. The frequency of GDM differs, while the incidence of the disease in Turkey is reported to be 7%. Most of the societies recommend screening all women with or without any risk factors in terms of GDM. The definitive diagnosis is made via oral glucose challenge test (OGTT). Early diagnosis and treatment are the key points to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. Different biomarkers are studied regarding GDM diagnosis starting from first trimester. However, there is not a worldwide accepted biomarker for defining the high risk group to the date. Afamin is known as an important indicator of oxidative stress. Moreover, oxidative stress itself is strongly associated with insulin resistance and obesity which are responsible from GDM pathogenesis.

Objective To investigate the association between first trimester maternal plasma afamin levels and GDM. Also, investigators aimed to understand the role of afamin for the prediction of GDM in this study.

Methods This is an observational prospective cohort study conducted in Department of Perinatology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Care, Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey. During 11 and 14 weeks of gestational, maternal blood will be obtained from eligible pregnant women, and samples will be stored at -80 oC. Informed written consent will be obtained from participants. Between 24th and 28th gestational weeks, all these women will be screened by two step OGTT. Then, afamin levels will be compared in GDM and control groups. Exclusion criteria are; multiple pregnancy, fetal anomalies, pregestational diabetes, underlying chronic diseases (hypertension, thyroid dysfunction, other endocrinopathies, autoimmune disorders), age <18 or > 35 years, fasting glucose level > 105 mg/dL or random glucose level > 200 mg/dL.