TG

This study investigated whether early pregnancy maternal plasma lipid levels are elevated in women who later develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In a cohort of 851 women (5.5% developed GDM), elevated triglyceride (TG) levels at 13 weeks gestation were significantly associated with increased GDM risk. After adjusting for pre-pregnancy adiposity and other confounders, women with TG ≥137 mg/dL had a 3.5-fold higher risk of GDM (95% CI: 1.1–10.5) compared to those with TG <96 mg/dL. A linear trend was observed, where each 20 mg/dL increase in TG was associated with a 10% increase in GDM risk (RR=1.1; 95% CI: 1.0–1.3). No associations were found for other lipids (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL). Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore determinants of pregnancy-related dyslipidemia.