Serum Prolactin as an Early Biomarker for Detection of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus-An Experience at CMH Quetta

Objective: To determine the association between elevated serum prolactin and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus in the first trimester. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of Study: Pathology Department, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta Pakistan, from Apr 2021 to Mar 2022. Methodology: One hundred and twenty-one patients had a measurement of serum prolactin in the first trimester, along with an oral glucose tolerance test in the second and third trimester, at the Pathology Department Combined Military Hospital Quetta Pakistan. Results: In the study group, serum prolactin levels were raised in 51(42.1%) patients in the first trimester. A total of 44(36.3%) patients with raised serum prolactin had impaired oral glucose tolerance tests. A significant association was found between raised serum prolactin and subsequent development of gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant females. Conclusion: Serum prolactin can be an important biomarker for early diagnosis and monitoring of gestational diabetes mellitus.