Elevated placental growth factor concentrations at 11–14 weeks of gestation to predict gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective To examine maternal serum concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF) at 11–14 gestational weeks in pregnancies that developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to create first trimester prediction models for GDM. Methods Case control study including 40 GDM cases and 94 controls. PlGF, biophysical and biochemical markers and maternal–pregnancy characteristics were analyzed. Results Log 10 transformed PlGF (log 10 PlGF) was not related to maternal factors. Log 10 PlGF was increased (p = 0.008) in the GDM group compared to the control group. Log 10 PlGF was associated with fasting glucose levels (p = 0.04) in the oral glucose tolerance test. Log 10 PlGF had a strong relation with birth weight adjusted for gestational age in the control but not in the GDM group. Maternal weight and maternal age were the only predictors of GDM among the maternal factors [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.73, p < 0.001]. Log 10 PlGF alone was a significant predictor of GDM (AUC = 0.63, p < 0.001). Combination of maternal weight, maternal age and log 10 PlGF resulted in an improved prediction (DR = 71.4%, for 25% FPR, AUC = 0.78, Model R 2 = 0.17, p < 0.001). Conclusion At 11–14 weeks in pregnancies that develop GDM, the maternal serum levels of PlGF are increased. Measurement of serum PlGF at 11–14 weeks improves the performance of early screening for GDM provided by maternal factors alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]