Serum adiponectin in gestational diabetes and its relation to pregnancy outcome

M. Doruka, M. Uğura, A. S. Oruç*a, N. Demirela & Y. Yildizaa Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, TurkeyCorrespondence: A.S. Oruç, 1438.Sok. No: 5/7, Çukurambar, Çankaya, 06520 Ankara, Turkey. E-mail: aylasrgn@yahoo.comAbstractWe investigated adiponectin levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) at 24–28 gestational weeks. Fasting serum adiponectin, glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were determined in 88 pregnant women, 44 with GDM and 44 with NGT. Pre-pregnancy and current body mass indices (BMI), weight gain and pregnancy outcomes were investigated. Serum adiponectin was significantly reduced in GDM compared with the NGT group (p = 0.000). Adiponectin was negatively correlated with age (r = –0.419, p = 0.000); glucose (r = –0.263, p = 0.013); HbA1c (r = –0.274, p = 0.01); BMI (pre-pregnancy and current) (r = –0.317, p = 0.003 and r = –0.303, p = 0.004) and positively correlated with gestational age at delivery (r = 0.278, p = 0.009). The GDM group delivered significantly earlier than the NGT group (p = 0.001). Adverse pregnancy outcomes and abdominal delivery were higher in the GDM group (p = 0.000, p = 0.033, respectively), and adiponectin was significantly reduced in patients with adverse outcomes (p = 0.003) and abdominal delivery (p = 0.032). Adiponectin is reduced in patients with GDM. Association of adiponectin with adverse pregnancy outcomes remains to be elucidated.