Measurement of C-Peptide Level in The Umbilical Cord of Infants of Diabetic Mothers and Its Relationship to The Risk of Hypoglycemia

Abstract

Background: Infants born to diabetic mothers face an increased risk of hypoglycemia, necessitating reliable predictive markers for early intervention. This study aimed to measure C-Peptide in umbilical cord blood, to determine whether it can be used as a predictor of hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers. Methods: A total of 50 infants born to diabetic mothers were studied and they were divided according to blood glucose levels into 25 experiencing hypoglycemia and 25 remaining normoglycemic. Detailed histories, comprehensive examinations, and multi-level investigations were conducted, including C-peptide measurement from umbilical cord blood and monitoring of glucose levels postnatally. Results: In the hypoglycemic group, mean cord C-peptide levels were significantly higher (5.2 ± 0.55 ng/ml) compared to the normoglycemic group (1.71 ± 0.62 ng/ml). A significant negative correlation was found between cord C-peptide levels and the blood glucose levels in the early postnatal period. Additionally, a positive correlation existed between cord C-peptide levels and birth weight. The sensitivity of cord C-peptide in predicting hypoglycemia was 90%, with a specificity of 88% and a cut-off value of 4.2. Conclusion: Cord Cpeptide levels in infants of diabetic mothers might be a predictive biomarker for hypoglycemia in infant of diabetic mother.