FABP4

This study examined the association between first-trimester plasma fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a prospective, multicenter cohort in China. Among 1,150 participants, 135 (11.7%) developed GDM. The incidence of GDM increased significantly across FABP4 quartiles, ranging from 3.8% in the first quartile to 21.6% in the fourth quartile. Multivariate analysis revealed that higher FABP4 concentrations in quartiles 2, 3, and 4 were significantly associated with increased GDM risk, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.76, 2.36, and 3.57, respectively, compared to the first quartile. Adding FABP4 levels to established risk factors improved the predictive accuracy for GDM. These findings suggest that elevated FABP4 levels in early pregnancy are associated with higher GDM risk and may help identify at-risk women for early preventive interventions.