Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that heritability of diabetes is associated with marked hyperinsulinemia, impaired endothelial function, and inflammatory up-regulation. However, no studies have examined whether a family history of diabetes effects placental maternal and fetal vascular circulation, or placental inflammatory response. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of first-degree family history of diabetes (FHD) on placental vascular circulation and inflammatory lesions.

Methods: 402 pregnant women were divided into two groups according to presence of of first-degree FHD: Group 1 included 255 subjects without FHD, Group 2 included 145 subjects with FHD. Placental histology was performed for vascular circulation and inflammation lesions of maternal and fetal origin.

Results: Maternal vascular supply (MVS) abnormalities of the placental bed was significantly higher in subjects with FHD, compared to group 2 (33% vs 52%, P<0.005). Fetal vascular supply (FVS) abnormalities as well as maternal and fetal inflammatory lesions (MIR and FIR) did not differed significantly between groups. In the logistic regression analysis, FDH is an independent and significant predictor predictor of maternal vascular supply abnormalities (P=0.001) and more than doubles risk of this outcome (OR 2.084, 95% CI 1.337–3.247, P=0.001). Gestational diabetes incidence was significantly higher in subjects with FHD.

Conclusion: We demonstrated that first-degree family history of diabetes is associated with an increased rate of maternal vascular malperfusion abnormalities.