C-reative protein in early months of pregnancy as a screening test for gestational diabetes mellitus developing in later months of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE(S) : To study whether positive test for C-reactive protein in early months of pregnancy can be used as a screening test for gestational diabetes mellitus developing in later months of pregnancy. METHOD(S): C-reactive protein was tested by latex-agglutination semi-quantitative method in early months of pregnancy in 91 women. Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed by 3 hour glucose tolerance test, if recommended after performing the glucose challenge test between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. Statistical analysis was done with Z statistic. RESULTS: Among the 91 women 27 were C-reactive protein test positive, out of whom four developed gestational diabetes (14.8%). Among the 64 women that were C-reactive protein negative, seven developed gestational diabetes (10.9%). This was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION(S): C-reactive protein in early months as an inflammatory marker is not a dependable screening test for gestational diabetes developing in later months of pregnancy.