Abstract:

Objective    To investigate changes of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and natural killer(NK) cells in neonates born to gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) mothers and their relationship with blood glucose. Methods33 full-term neonates born to GDM mothers were enrolled as the experimental group and 30 healthy full-term neonates were enrolled as the control group. Numbers of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and activity of NK cells were measured by flow cytometry within 24h after birth. Blood glucose was detected by a trace glucose meter.  Results    Compared with the control group, numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells, activity of NK cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ were lower in the experimental group (P<0.01). The level of blood glucose in the experimental group was lower (P<0.05). The incidence of hypoglycemia in the experimental group was 21.21%, which was higher than that in the control group (P=0.023).  Numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells and activity of NK cells were positively correlated with the level of blood glucose（P＜0.05）. Conclusion    GDM could lower numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells, activity of NK cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+, and causes damage to the neonatal immune function. Attention should be paid to perinatal health care and prevention of neonatal infection.

Key words: Gestational diabetes mellitus； Neonate； T cell subsets； Activity of natural killer cells； Blood glucose