Serum miR-29a/b expression in gestational diabetes mellitus and its influence on prognosis evaluation

Objective To evaluate serum microRNA (miR)-29a/b expression in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its influence on neonatal prognosis. Methods This was a retrospective study including 68 pregnant women with GDM (GDM group) and 55 healthy pregnant women of similar age range and gestation period (healthy group). Results The area under the curve was 0.829 for the diagnosis of GDM using serum miR-29a expression, 0.857 for diagnosis using serum miR-29b expression, and 0.944 for combined diagnosis (using both miR-29a and miR-29b). The fasting insulin (FINS) level of the GDM group was significantly lower than that of the healthy group; levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h plasma glucose (2hPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were significantly higher in the GDM group than in the healthy group. Both miR-29a and miR-29b were positively correlated with FINS levels and negatively correlated with FPG, 2hPG, and HbA1c levels. Serum miR-29a/b expression in pregnant women with GDM was not correlated with neonatal weight, premature delivery, or asphyxia but was correlated with pathologic jaundice. Conclusions Serum miR-29a/b expression was downregulated in pregnant women with GDM and correlated with neonatal pathologic jaundice, showing good individual (miR-29a or miR-29b) diagnostic value and excellent combined (miR-29a and miR-29b) diagnostic value.