The risk of stillbirth is particularly high for women with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who suffer four times as many stillbirths as non-diabetic women.
The tools currently available to monitor such risks are limited and give results only at late stages of pregnancy. Now research by Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick is identifying new methods of early & accurate monitoring of the risks faced by such women.
The new research by a Warwick Medical School team, Dr Harpal Randeva, Dr Paul O'Hare & Dr Dimitris Grammatopoulos; Consultant Endocrinologists and Mr Manu Vatish, Consultant Obstetrician, focussed on the profound alterations in the hormonal metabolism of pregnant women and the metabolic signals between mother and fetus. They particularly looked at a key signalling molecule, mainly produced by fat cells, called adiponectin. This is known to have anti-diabetic properties as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic actions (it prevents blood clotting which can block arteries). They also closely examined levels of leptin which plays an important role in regulating energy balance and rises during pregnancy.
Given the high perinatal mortality associated with Type 1 diabetes, the researchers investigated adiponectin and leptin levels during both normal and Type 1 diabetic pregnancies. They measured both groups at 20 and 30 weeks into the pregnancy, and after giving birth.