Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity (Feb 2023)

Relationship Between Maternal Serum Cortisol and Maternal Insulin Resistance and Fetal Ultrasound Characteristics in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

  • Tien Nguyen S,
  • Bui Minh T,
  • Trung Dinh H,
  • Dinh Le T,
  • Phi Thi Nguyen N,
  • Tran TTH,
  • Hien Vu T,
  • Luong Cong T,
  • Ho Thi Nguyen L,
  • Tuan Pham P,
  • Viet Tran T,
  • Xuan Nguyen K

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 16
pp. 365 – 372

Abstract

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Son Tien Nguyen,1,* Tien Bui Minh,2,* Hoa Trung Dinh,3,4 Tuan Dinh Le,1 Nga Phi Thi Nguyen,1 Thi Thanh Hoa Tran,3 Trinh Hien Vu,3 Thuc Luong Cong,5 Lan Ho Thi Nguyen,3 Phuong Tuan Pham,3,4 Tien Viet Tran,6 Kien Xuan Nguyen7 1Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam; 3Department of Requested Treatment, National Hospital of Endocrinology, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 4National Hospital of Endocrinology, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 5Cardiovascular Center, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Medical Military University, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 6Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Medical Military University, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam; 7Department of Military Medical Command and Organization, Vietnam Medical Military University, Ha Noi, Vietnam*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Kien Xuan Nguyen, Department of Military Medical Command and Organization, Vietnam Military Medical University, 160 Phung Hung Street, Phuc La Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi city, Vietnam, Email [email protected]: Cortisol is proven to play a crucial role in hyperglycemia and fetal development in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This research aims to investigate the relationship between maternal serum cortisol and insulin resistance indices and fetal ultrasound characteristics in women with GDM.Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study on 144 GDM in Vietnam from January 2015 to December 2020. Serum cortisol was measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay at 8 a.m. on the examination day in the vicinity of the 24th gestational week. Fetal ultrasound was performed by an experienced person who was blind to the study.Results: The mean cortisol level in the GDM group was 627.04 nmol/L. Serum cortisol levels positively correlated with abdominal circumference (AC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, triglycerides, HOMA2-IR, and Mathew indices (with r of 0.18, 0.22, 0.18, 0.17, 0.18, and 0.22, respectively). Serum cortisol levels negatively correlated with QUICKI and McAuley indices (with r of − 0.19 and − 0.21), respectively. In a univariate linear regression, maternal serum cortisol positively correlated with fetal AC, head circumference (HC), and biparietal diameter (BPD) (with r of 0.21; 0.23; and 0.25, respectively). In a multivariate linear regression analysis, cortisol positively correlated with fetal AC, HC, and BPD after adjusting to maternal McAuley index.Conclusion: Serum cortisol levels in GDM correlated with fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and insulin resistance. Besides, serum cortisol levels in GDM positively correlated with fetal development.Keywords: gestational diabetes mellitus, serum cortisol, insulin resistance indices, fetal ultrasound parameters

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