Pregnancy induces longitudinal changes in urinary C-peptide creatinine ratio in women with type 1 diabetes

Aims: Changes in maternal serum C-peptide have been described during pregnancy in women with Type 1 diabetes. We aimed to determine whether in these women, C-peptide, as measured by the urinary C-peptide creatinine ratio (UCPCR), display changes during the course of pregnancy and in the postpartum period.

Methods: In this longitudinal study including 26 women, UCPCR was measured in the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy, and postpartum, using a high sensitivity two-step chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.

Results: UCPCR was detectable in 7/26 (26.9%) participants in the first trimester, 10/26 (38.4%) in the second trimester, and 18/26 (69.2%) in the third trimester. Changes in UCPCR concentrations were observed throughout pregnancy, significantly increasing from first to third trimester. UCPCR concentration in the three trimesters was associated with a shorter duration of diabetes and in the third trimester also with first trimester UCPCR.

Conclusion: UCPCR detects longitudinal changes during pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus, more marked in those with shorter diabetes duration.