Evaluation of Betatrophin Hormone and Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels in Gestational and Type 2 Diabetic Pregnant Women in Basrah Province

Abstract

BackgroundBetatrophin and alpha-fetoprotein are widely used as diagnostic markers for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but their clinical utility in diagnosing gestational diabetes (GDM) is unclear. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the levels, relationship between betatrophin and alpha-fetoprotein, and the risk as well as the ability to predict postpartum outcomes in GDM and T2 DM. Methods: A case-control study, that involved 61 volunteer pregnant women with GDM and T2 DM, who attended and received antenatal care services at Al- Fayhaa Teaching Hospital and Basrah for Women and Children Teaching Hospital, during the period from October 2021 to February 2022. Betatrophin and alpha-fetoprotein and other parameters were measured by standard methods. Results: pregnant women with DM were shown significantly higher betatrophin, AFP, and glucose levels than healthy pregnant women; while they showed non-significant differences in total cholesterol (T.C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and insulin levels than healthy women. Triglyceride and HOMO-IR showed significant differences in GDM &T2DM groups compared with the healthy group. The statistical analyses revealed that there were no significant differences between GDM and T2DM groups in all variables (p>0.05). Linear regression models revealed significantly high levels of betatrophin, fasting glucose, and BMI in GDM and T2DM. The linear model (ROC) analysis revealed that betatrophin is the best predictor of GDM compared to controls (area under the curve; AUC = 0.797). The model also revealed that alpha-fetoprotein and BMI are the best predictors of GDM and T2DM. Conclusions: Betatrophin and alpha-fetoprotein levels were increased in diabetic pregnant women and betatrophin and AFP are predictors of risk in pregnant women with diabetes.