Biomarkers of maternal diabetes and its complication in pregnancy

There are specific biomarkers – indicators of normal and abnormal processes – in diabetic pregnancies that predict the degree of diabetic control as well as embryonic and fetal growth and development. They can be detected in maternal blood, amniotic fluid or in the cord plasma of the newborn infant. While the cord plasma levels are of little clinical relevance because they do not allow us to interfere with the outcome of pregnancy, biomarkers in maternal blood or amniotic fluid may help us to better control the outcome of diabetic pregnancies. Important biomarkers in maternal blood are fasting glucose, HbA1c and IGFs. Relevant biomarkers in amniotic fluid are insulin, erythropoietin and markers of bone formation and resorption. Cord plasma biomarkers include IGFs, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, markers of oxidative stress and of hypoxia. Whether these biomarkers can be predictors of long term outcome in infants of diabetic mothers is yet to be determined.

► In this review we outlined the biomarkers found in maternal blood, in the amniotic fluid or in fetal cord blood that are of relevance to the progress and outcome of diabetic pregnancies. These biomarkers may help in the planning of diabetic pregnancy outcome and possibly in the prevention of some complications.