Serum adiponectin in gestational diabetes and its relation to pregnancy outcome

We 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.