RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication during pregnancy, with potential adverse effects on maternal and fetal health. Several studies have reported that in diabetic patients, both morphological and functional pathological mechanisms lead to exocrine pancreatic dysfunction. Pancreatic enzyme deficiency or dysfunction result in the inability to digest food properly, giving rise to a range of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. We hypothesized that pregnant women with GDM may also have deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, amylase and lipase, leading to persistent GI symptoms beyond the first trimester and impaired quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate serum amylase and lipase levels in pregnant women with GDM and association with GI symptoms. Understanding the relationship between GDM and exocrine pancreatic function may help identify novel therapeutic targets and improve the clinical management of GDM women with GI symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional comparative study included a total of 125 pregnant women in their third trimester, who were either diagnosed with diabetes (n = 25) or were healthy volunteers without diabetes (n = 100). A detailed history, including the presence or absence of GI symptoms and the type of symptoms, was recorded. Serum amylase and lipase levels were measured using enzyme kinetic assay. Data were coded and analysed. RESULTS: GI symptoms were significantly more in GDM women than in normal pregnant women, and GDM women with GI symptoms had significantly lower levels of serum lipase and amylase than normal pregnant women with GI symptoms. CONCLUSION: The study suggests the importance of evaluating serum amylase and lipase in GDM women with GI symptoms, as they may be indicative of underlying pancreatic enzyme deficiency.
