Osteopontin Levels in Maternal Serum, Cord Blood, and Breast Milk According to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing, and GDM poses health risks for both mothers and newborns. This study investigated the association between GDM and two biomarkers, osteopontin (OPN) and betatrophin (ANGPTL8). Methods: This study involved face-to-face interviews with 165 participants—81 in the GDM group and 84 in the control group—to gather maternal-newborn data. Maternal serum OPN levels, along with cord serum OPN and ANGPTL8 levels, were measured at birth. OPN levels in breast milk were also measured between postnatal days 10–15. Statistical analysis included Student’s t-test for comparing biomarker levels, chi-square tests for GDM incidence across OPN quartile levels, multiple logistic regression for assessing GDM frequency by OPN quartile levels, and the Pearson correlation coefficient to explore relationships between biomarker levels and maternal-newborn characteristics. Results: No significant differences in cord OPN or ANGPTL8 levels were detected between the groups. However, the OPN levels in maternal serum and breast milk were greater in the GDM group than in the control group. We found an association between increasing maternal serum and breast milk OPN levels in quartile groups and the risk of GDM. Additionally, there was a moderate correlation between cord OPN and both maternal serum OPN (r = 0.45) and breast milk OPN (r = 0.43). Conclusions: The differences in OPN levels between the GDM and control groups suggest that OPN may reflect metabolic changes associated with GDM, possibly as a consequence of the condition itself or its treatment. Further research is necessary to validate these findings and uncover the underlying mechanisms involved.