Lipid Metabolism in Gestational Diabetes

The purpose of this pilot study is to determine if, during pregnancy, women with GDM have an exaggerated lipid response compared to non-gestational diabetics. If a difference is noted, further studies will explore the possibility of screening gestational diabetics during their pregnancy for hyperlipidemia to determine if prenatal screening can predict postpartum risk for hyperlipidemia. In addition the relationship, if any between maternal lipid dysfunction and placental disease will be explored. This will be a prospective cohort study. As part of routine prenatal care, women receive a one hour glucose challenge test to screen for gestational diabetes. Those women with elevated values then require a three hour glucose tolerance test, which is a diagnostic test for gestational diabetes. All women that are scheduled to receive a three hour GTT will be identified and ask to enroll in this study. 46 women whose three hour GTT is normal and thus do not have GDM, will be compared to 46 women with an abnormal three hour GTT and thus would have the diagnosis of GDM. Enrolled women will have a lipid panel consisting of; total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol at the time of their fasting glucose blood sample. In addition, a repeat lipid panel will be sent at the time of the third hour sample, to assess changes, if any due to the glucose challenge. Umbilical cord blood samples will be sent in order to obtain newborn lipid profiles. Women in both the GDM and normal groups will be asked to return 6-8 weeks