BACKGROUND:
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is the most prevalent metabolic complication of pregnancy, associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity.Current diagnostic practices, such as the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), are limited by late application and diagnostic inconsistency.There is growing evidence that integrating biomarkers with maternal risk profiles may enhance early identification of GDM, allowing midwives to initiate timely, individualized care.

OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the prognostic value of selected biomarkers in combination with clinical and non-clinical variables for the early identification of GDM, and to assess their association with adverse perinatal outcomes within a midwifery-led care model.

METHODS:
This is a prospective, longitudinal, midwifery-led case-control study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Cyprus.A total of 120 pregnant women (60 GDM-cases and 60 normoglycemic-controls) matched for age and body mass index are being enrolled.Maternal blood is collected across all trimesters, and umbilical cord and neonatal samples are obtained postpartum.Biomarkers related to glucose metabolism, inflammation, and placental function are analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Detailed data on obstetric history, laboratory parameters, and perinatal outcomes are documented.Statistical analysis explores the predictive capacity of biomarker combinations and their correlation with maternal/neonatal morbidity.

RESULTS:
Data collection and analysis are ongoing.The final analysis will assess the predictive utility of selected biomarkers, alongside clinical and non-clinical variables, in identifying the risk of developing GDM.Preliminary findings suggest that biomarker-informed screening may be a feasible adjunct to routine antenatal care.This approach could enhance antenatal practice by enabling earlier, targeted interventions and underscores the vital role of midwives in risk stratification and prevention.

CONCLUSIONS:
Early identification of GDM through a biomarker-informed model holds promise for transforming antenatal care.By enabling earlier intervention and tailored monitoring, this approach may significantly reduce adverse outcomes and reinforce midwives’ central role in personalized maternity care.

KEY MESSAGE:
Midwifery-led integration of biomarker screening may revolutionize early GDM detection, enabling proactive, individualized antenatal care. Complications - GDM 2