Decreased cord blood estradiol levels in related to mothers with gestational diabetes

Recent studies have revealed a link between estradiol (E2) and glucose homeostasis. We aimed to assess the association between cord blood hormone levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A total of 204 pregnant women with GDM and 204 pregnant women without GDM (control) were included in the study. Maternal GDM were diagnosed using a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at 24 to 26 weeks of gestation. Cord blood samples from neonates were collected immediately post delivery. Controls, which were randomly selected from the study population, were matched (cases to controls ratio: 1:1) to cases by age, sex of fetus, and gestational week. Pregravid body mass index (BMI) (mean ± standard deviation) was (GDM vs. control): 24.5 ± 2.1 versus 22.8 ± 2.4 (P = .001). Cord blood estradiol in the GDM group was significantly lower than in the control group (P  These results demonstrate a relationship between cord blood estradiol levels and GDM. Estradiol might be involved in the pathophysiology of GDM. Further studies are needed to explore potential mechanism.