Predictive value of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 axis for gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study

This study aimed to explore the role of growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 risk factor axis in gestational diabetes mellitus, as well as to rank independently risk factors.

This was a prospective cohort study conducted between April 2019 and April 2022. The baseline data and serum samples were collected and analyzed from 241 pregnant women during the second trimester. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between GH and IGF-1 correlated with risk of GDM. Back-propagation artificial neural network (BPNN) and Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to identify the predictive ability of the GH/IGF-1 axis for GDM.

The present study found that the higher serum levels of IGF-1 and the lower serum levels of GH in pregnant women were significantly correlated with risk of GDM. GH and IGF-1 were different in both case and control groups(P < 0.05). BPNN analysis identified IGF-1 as accounting for the highest proportion in the ranking of GDM risk prediction weights (up to 25.4%). Furthermore, the area under ROC curve (AUC) value of the GH and IGF-1 combinations reached 0.770 (95%CI:0.707, 0.83).

GH (growth hormone) and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) are intricately linked to the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Disruptions in the GH/IGF-1 axis can trigger insulin resistance, thereby elevating the risk of GDM.

Current Controlled Trials: ChiCTR2000028811. Registration Date:20,200,104.