Early Detection of Gestational Diabetes Via Measurement of First Trimester Maternal Serum Uric Acid

Rational and Background: Diabetes is the most common medical complication of pregnancy. It occurs in between 5 and 10% of all pregnancies. In pregnancy, uric acid is correlated with insulin resistance in women with gestational hypertension and is higher at 24-28 weeks gestation in women diagnosed with GDM compared to women without diabetes.Objectives: To find out if the elevated first trimester uric acid is associated with development of gestational diabetes mellitus.Study Design: This prospective observational study was conducted in Damnhour Educational Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, between March 2015 and November 2015. A total of 80 pregnant women ( 13 weeks gestation) were included in the study. Baseline assessments included age, BMI, parity, number of previous abortions and serum uric acid level. Subjects were re-assessed at 24-28 weeks for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Data was systematically recorded and analysed to test for associations of various parameters with GDM.Results: Elevated first-trimester uric acid concentration was correlated with an increased risk of developing GDM. The risk of developing GDM was higher if first-trimester uric acid was ≥3.11mg/dl [OR 6.11, 95% CI (2.33 to 8.11)]. Also There was a significant positive correlation between serum uric acid and BMI (r=0.66, p-0.008). The mean BMI was significantly higher in women who developed GDM when compared to women who did not develop GDM [29.23±3.11 Kg/m^2 vs. 27.8±3.97Kg/m^2, respectively, p-0.021].Conclusions: Serum uric acid elevation in first trimester has a significant correlation with development of gestational diabetes mellitus.