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). STUDY DESIGN: 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. CONCLUSION: C-reactive protein has no predictive value in GDM, and no positive correlation is found between BMI and this inflammation marker.