C-reactive protein as an early predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether C-reactive protein at the beginning of the midtrimester is significantly increased in patients who subsequently develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).


METHODS
A total of 72 subjects who underwent a Down screening program between the 14th and 16th weeks of gestation were studied: 32 developed GDM, and 40 were controls. The C-reactive protein serum levels were evaluated in all patients.


RESULTS
There was a significant difference in body mass index (BMI) mean values between the GDM group (30.8 +/- 8.5) and control group (24.7 +/- 2.8), but in spite of this, no significant difference in C-reactive protein was found in the 2 groups. The median serum C-reactive protein values were 9.0 mg/dL (2.4-17, 5-95% CI) in the GDM group and 8.7 mg/dL (3.8-11.2, 5-95% CI) in the control group (p = 0.3). There was no correlation between C-reactive protein serum levels and BMI, birth weight or fasting insulin.


CONCLUSIONS
C-reactive protein has no predictive value in GDM, and no positive correlation is found between BMI and this inflammation marker.
D'Anna
Rosario
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Baviera
Giovanni
G
De Vivo
Antonio
A
Facciolà
Grazia
G
Di Benedetto
Antonino
A
Corrado
Francesco
F
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
D002097:C-Reactive Protein