Association of Elevated First Trimester Serum Uric Acid Levels with Development of GDM

Background: Early intervention and appropriate treatment in patients with GDM will help in preventing the adverse maternal and fetal outcome and protect them from long term complications. Several studies have shown the association of hyperuricemia with GDM. This study was undertaken to find out the association of elevated first trimester uric acid with development of GDM.

Materials And Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in Mahatma Gandhi Medical Collage and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India, between November 2010 and May 2012. A total of 70 pregnant women were included and parameters like age, parity, BMI, history of DM, serum uric acid at <15 weeks and at 24 to 28 weeks and one step test at 24 to 28 weeks were noted and compared.

Results: There was no significant correlation between the demographic variables and GDM, but a moderate significance noted between the family history of DM and one step test (p=0.048). Though there is a proportional increase in the serum uric acid with increase in the BMI, it was not statistically significant. A significant correlation was seen between BMI and risk of development of GDM (p= 0.001). Though there is a significant correlation between serum uric acid at <15 weeks and at 24 to 28 weeks, serum uric acid at <15 weeks of gestation is a better predictor of GGI and GDM (Pearson's correlation = 0.735).

Conclusion: There is increase in the risk of development of GDM with increased levels of serum uric acid in the first trimester. Uric acid levels at <15 weeks of gestation is more significantly associated with risk of development of GDM than it's levels at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation.