SERUM OSTEOCALCIN CONCENTRATIONS IN DIABETIC PREGNANT-WOMEN AND THEIRNEWBORNS

Osteacalcin and PTH serum levels were measured in 41 insulin-dependent diabetic pregnant women through the three trimesters of pregnancy wit h a total of 106 determinations of osteocalcin and 137 of PTH. In para llel we quantified these parameters in 90 normal pregnant women throug hout the three trimesters of pregnancy. In addition calcitriol, osteoc alcin and PTH levels were quantified at delivery in 16 diabetic pregna nt women and 16 normal pregnant women at delivery, in cord serum and i n the infants during the first days of life. Non-pregnant women (n = 4 8) were the control group. In normal pregnant women PTH levels increas ed during the third trimester and total calcitriol increased at delive ry. Osteocalcin levels decreased in the second trimester but returned to normal values during the third trimester of pregnancy. Diabetic pre gnant women showed constant PTH levels throughout pregnancy. At delive ry in diabetic pregnant women, total calcitriol levels increased to a smaller extent than in normal pregnant women. Osteocalcin concentratio ns in the second and third trimester of pregnancy were lower than in t he non-pregnant group. Infants of diabetic mothers showed lower PTH an d osteocalcin concentrations than infants of normal pregnant women, wh ereas their calcitriol levels were similar. These data indicate that d iabetes decreases bone turnover during pregnancy in the mother and dur ing the perinatal period in their offspring.