Aims: Studies to prevent gestational diabetes (GDM) have shown the best results when lifestyle measures have been applied early in pregnancy. We aimed to investigate whether first-trimester fasting plasma glucose (FPG) could predict GDM risk and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from singleton pregnancies who were attended at our hospital between 2008 and 2018 (n = 27,198) was performed. We included patients with a recorded first-trimester FPG and complete pregnancy data (n = 6845). Patients under 18, with pregestational diabetes or reproductive techniques, were excluded. First-trimester FPG was evaluated as a continuous variable and divided into quartiles. GDM was diagnosed by NDDG criteria. The relationship between first- and second-trimester glucose > 92 mg/dL was also investigated. The relationship between FPG and pregnancy outcomes was assessed in 6150 patients who did not have GDM.
Results: Maternal age was 34.2 ± 3.9 years, BMI 23.1 ± 3.7 kg/m2 and mean FPG 83.0 ± 7.3 mg/dL. Glucose quartiles were: ≤ 78, 79-83, 84-87 and ≥ 88 mg/dL. First-trimester FPG predicted the risk of GDM (7%, 8%, 10.2% and 16% in each quartile, p < 0.001) and the risk of second-trimester glucose > 92 mg/dL (2.6%, 3.8%, 6.3% and 11.4% in each quartile, p < 0.001). FPG was significantly associated with LGA (8.2%, 9.3%, 10% and 11.7% in each quartile, p = 0.011) but not with other obstetrical outcomes. In a multivariate analysis including age, BMI, tobacco use, number of pregnancies and weight gained during pregnancy, first-trimester FPG was an independent predictor of LGA.
Conclusions: First-trimester FPG is an early marker of GDM and LGA.
Keywords: First-trimester glycemia; Gestational diabetes prediction; Glycemia; Pregnancy outcomes.