ABSTRACT
Background: Adiponectin is an adipocytokine that is exclusively produced by adipocytes with potent insulin-sensitizing property. It has been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus, but its role is not clear; Findings from studies done across different ethnic groups are often inconsistent. Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare maternal serum adiponectin levels between Nigerian pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus. Materials And Methods: A cross sectional analytical study including one hundred and sixty nine pregnant women, 85 with gestational diabetes mellitus and 84 with normal gestation, who were evaluated between 24-28 weeks gestation. Diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus was made according to the WHO diagnostic criteria. Maternal serum level of adiponectin was measured and compared between pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and the controls. Results: Mean maternal serum adiponectin level was significantly lower in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus than in the controls (8.1 ± 1.6 vs. 10.1 ± 2.4 µg/ml, p< 0.05). When 2 2 subjects in the study groups were further categorized in to BMI < 25kg/m and BMI 25 kg/m , maternal serum adiponectin level remained significantly lower in the normal weight pregnant women with gestational diabetes compared to their BMI-matched controls (8.4 ± 1.7 vs. 11.4 ± 2.1 2µg/ml, p< 0.05). Among the overweight pregnant women (BMI 25 kg/m) on the other hand, there was no difference in maternal serum adiponectin level between pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and the normal controls (7.8 ± 1.5 vs. 8.0 ± 1.1µg/ml, p> 0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that normal weight Nigerian pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus in this study have lower serum adiponectin level compared to the normal weight pregnant women with normal gestation