Serum Sfrp-4 And Ficolin-3 as Early Predictors of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the First Trimester: A Study from Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Objective: Secreted frizzled-related protein-4 (SFRP-4) and Ficolin-3 have separately been linked to insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation underlying type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study was aimed to estimate serum SFRP-4 and Ficolin-3 levels in the first trimester of pregnancy and to examine their relationship, if any, with oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) outcomes, body mass index (BMI) and gestational period.

Methods: A total of 100 pregnant women attending their first prenatal visit between 6 and 13 weeks of gestation at MMMCH Solan were enrolled. Serum SFRP-4 and Ficolin-3 were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and plasma glucose was measured hexokinase method.

Results: Mean SFRP-4 and Ficolin-3 levels were 1.86±1.33 ng/mL and 16.85±14.92 ng/mL, respectively. OGTT, SFRP-4, and Ficolin-3 did not differ significantly across gestational-period subgroups (6-8, 9-11, and ≥12 weeks; p=0.949, 0.697, and 0.906). All three parameters rose progressively and significantly across BMI categories and OGTT categories.

Conclusion: Serum SFRP-4 and Ficolin-3 are already detectable and rise in proportion to maternal BMI and glycemic status as early as the first trimester, while remaining stable across small differences in early gestational period.