Pathophysiology Underpinning Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and the Role of Biomarkers for its Prediction

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a frequent complication of pregnancy, with an increasing incidence that has been attributed to an ageing maternal population, an increasing prevalence of obesity, and alterations in diagnostic criteria. The consequences of GDM are far-reaching and impact both the mother and their offspring. It is associated with poor maternal and neonatal outcomes compared with non-GDM pregnancies. Furthermore, it is associated with long-term poor metabolic health in both mother and offspring. Current diagnostic strategies centre on clinical risk factors, however these can lack specificity. This has spurred investigations into identifying potential biomarkers to aid in diagnosis and risk stratification. In this review, the current evidence around potential biomarkers, their role in understanding pathophysiologic pathways for GDM development, and the possibility of their use in clinical practice is explored.

Keywords

• biomarkers
• gestational diabetes mellitus (gdm)
• macrosomia