LAUSR

About 2-5% of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy and its prevalence has increased markedly within the last decade. GDM is a metabolic syndrome produced by various degrees of carbohydrate intolerance during pregnancy. Various risk factors such as obesity, genetics, environmental factors, and hypertension have been described previously. Maternal and fetal complications occur in around 7% of pregnant women with GDM. In these patients, a relation between proteoglycans and ADAMTS proteases located in extracellular matrix in fetal membranes (placenta, cord, amnion) and complicated pregnancies has already been determined by various animal experiments. Changes in expression, structure and function of ADAMTS proteases and proteoglycans in fetal membranes lead to alteration in the structure of extracellular matrix. If we can establish a balance between these proteoglycans and ADMTS proteases or determine the changes in their structure and functions, it will be possible to predict the risk in high risk pregnancies at early weeks and to initiate treatment early or to follow the target population regularly. In addition, prevention or reduction of maternal and fetal complications may be possible. For this purpose, ADAMTS and proteoglycans the synthesis of which is too much or less, may be targeted and if we would be able to determine and prevent the changes in their levels in the early period of pregnancy, the development of GDM and its complications may be prevented or decreased. Thus, we may identify a marker for early diagnosis and treatment and reduce prematurity, which is the most common cause of fetal death. Fetal and maternal complications, and especially treatment and care costs of prematurity, may also be decreased.