Investigating the Role of Skin Autofluorescence in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy-specific condition that can cause serious complications for both the mother and the fetus. Preventing these complications requires optimum glycemic control. Skin autofluorescence (SAF) is a non-invasive and innovative method that evaluates the levels of advanced glycation end products, markers of hyperglycemia, that could aid in the optimum management of GDM-complicated pregnancies. This systematic review aims to assess SAF's potential utility in the prediction of short-term and long-term outcomes in GDM. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, with the protocol identifier CRD42024559012, we used "(skin autofluorescence OR SAF) AND (gestational diabetes mellitus OR GDM)" as a search criterion on the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. After a rigorous selection process, we included five articles, which evaluated SAF values and GDM, SAF and pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus, and SAF and macrosomia. GDM diagnosis varies due to the different approaches among the major guidelines, leading to variations in interpretation and diagnostic thresholds. Across studies, this variability contributes to inconsistent SAF values. As a standardized and objective marker, SAF could provide a uniform criterion, improving GDM management. Further research is needed to validate its clinical utility.