Early Identification of the Maternal, Placental and Fetal Dialog in Gestational Diabetes and Its Prevention

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) complicates between 5 and 12% of pregnancies, with associated maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications. The ideal screening and diagnostic criteria to diagnose and treat GDM have not been established and, currently, diagnostic use with an oral glucose tolerance test occurs late in pregnancy and produces poor reproducibility. Therefore, in recent years, significant research has been undertaken to identify a first-trimester biomarker that can predict GDM later in pregnancy, enable early intervention, and reduce GDM-related adverse pregnancy outcomes. Possible biomarkers include glycemic markers (fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c), adipocyte-derived markers (adiponectin and leptin), pregnancy-related markers (pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and the placental growth factor), inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α), insulin resistance markers (sex hormone-binding globulin), and others. This review summarizes current data on first-trimester biomarkers, the advantages, and the limitations. Large multi-ethnic clinical trials and cost-effectiveness analyses are needed not only to build effective prediction models but also to validate their clinical use.