Cord blood C-peptide levels relate to the metabolic profile of women with and without gestational diabetes

Plasma C‐peptide reflects the insulin‐secretory activity of pancreatic β‐cells which modulates fetal growth. Cord blood C‐peptide levels were measured in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and in women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Forty‐one women underwent a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (18 GDM, 23 NGT). Cord blood C‐peptide (p = 0.09) and glucose levels (p = 0.08) from newborns of GDM women tended to be higher than those from NGT women. In the entire group, cord blood C‐peptide correlated with maternal insulin, fasting C‐peptide, insulin sensitivity, interleukin‐6, weight and body mass index measured at screening (ρ from 0.34 to 0.48, all p