Glycosuria is a common disorder of pregnancy characterised by the presence of glucose in urine. Glycosuria may be caused by an increase in blood glucose such that the renal tubules are overwhelmed and complete reabsorption of presented glucose is not possible, a benign lowering of the renal threshold, or inhibition of renal tubule reabsorption 1,2. Primarily a result of a lower renal threshold, which is a consequence of increased renal blood flow, glycosuria during pregnancy may be a product of gestational diabetes and shows evidence as an indicator for later life adversity such as offspring risk of obesity 1,3.

Genes predisposing to type 2 diabetes have been associated with gestational diabetes 4 and there is growing evidence that impaired glucose regulation in pregnancy, including glycosuria, is associated with negative metabolic outcomes for offspring such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 5. Patients who develop gestational diabetes are at increased risk of gestational diabetes in future pregnancy, as well as being at risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the life-course 4. The presence of glycosuria may indicate future adverse outcomes in pregnancy and the life-course. To identify genetic variants associated with such a phenotype and to provide greater understanding of disease development, progression, and related complications we will set out to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of glycosuria during pregnancy, and investigate the genetic overlap between identified loci and multiple diabetic-related traits.

1. Lawlor, D. A. et al. Association of existing diabetes, gestational diabetes and glycosuria in pregnancy with macrosomia and offspring body mass index, waist and fat mass in later childhood: findings from a prospective pregnancy cohort. Diabetologia 53, 89-97, doi:10.1007/s00125-009-1560-z (2010).
2. Ferrannini, E. Learning From Glycosuria. Diabetes 60, 695-696, doi:10.2337/db10-1667 (2011).
3. Patel, S. et al. Associations of Gestational Diabetes, Existing Diabetes, and Glycosuria With Offspring Obesity and Cardiometabolic Outcomes. Diabetes Care 35, 63-71, doi:10.2337/dc11-1633 (2012).