Prediction of Gestational Diabetes by Measuring First Trimester Maternal Serum Uric Acid Concentration

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication in pregnancy, affecting more than 10% pregnancies worldwide. However, the true underlying causes remain to be fully elucidated. Aim: This study aimed at searching for any relation between first trimester uric acid concentration and the development of GDM. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted on 250 first trimester pregnant females at risk of diabetes mellitus attending the outpatient clinic of Tanta University Hospital. All cases underwent estimation of first trimester-fasting blood sugar and maternal serum uric acid concentration. Between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation random blood sugar and glucose challenge test were done. Positive cases were confirmed by 3 h glucose tolerance curve. Results: The results demonstrated an association between first trimester maternal serum uric acid concentration obesity and GDM. Approximately, 41.4% (60/145) of non-diabetic women were at first quartile, while 44.8% (47/105) of the diabetic women were at fourth quartile. Conclusion: We concluded that the cut-off level of maternal serum uric acid of 4 mg/dl in the first trimester was associated with developing GDM. Therefore, we suggest that serum uric acid level should be done as routine test during the first antenatal care visit.