Plasma liver function tests in a cohort of women with gestational
diabetes: A cross-sectional study
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine alanine aminotransferase
(ALT) levels in a cohort of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes
mellitus (GDM) and to investigate the association between elevated ALT
and pregnancy outcomes. Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study.
Setting: Cork University Maternity Hospital Population: Women attending
the gestational diabetes outpatients’ department in CUMH. Methods: This
is a retrospective cross-sectional study. The participants were divided
into 2 groups: those with ALTs within the ALT N range and those with
elevated but with no other documented diagnosis of liver disease that
may be a cause for their elevated ALT level. Primary and secondary
measure outcomes: a) To quantify the number of participants with an
elevated ALT and to compare them to a group of participants with normal
ALT, b) To investigate if there is an association between elevated ALT
and BMI and c) To compare the two groups in terms premature birth,
macrosomia, induction of labour, operative delivery and neonatal ICU
admission. Results: 24.7% of women with GDM had elevated ALT. 23.9% of
the entire group had elevated ALT and no diagnosis of liver disease.
When this group was compared to the group with ALT N, there was a
statistically significant association between elevated ALT and both
elevated BMI and premature delivery. Conclusions: In this cohort there
is an association between GDM and increased ALT. There is also an
association between elevated ALT and increased BMI and premature. These
groups should be treated as high risk pregnancies.