IRON STORES AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS – A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Background & objectives: The incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) worldwide is on an increase with approximately 40 percent between 1989 and 2004. Iron overload is found to contribute for the pathogenesis of GDM. In this study Haemoglobin and Serum Ferritin levels are as an index of Iron overload and its relationship with GDM is assessed. Methods: Pregnant women are divided into 2 groups those with GDM and another without GDM by screening for Glucose challenge test. Blood sugar after 12 hours of fasting and 2 hours Post prandial is done for diagnosis of GDM. Haemoglobin and Serum Ferritin levels of both groups are also estimated and compared. Results: Mean serum Ferritin level of pregnant women with GDM ( 30.83 +/-20.61) was high than those without GDM(23.48+/-10.91). Median serum Ferritin level was comparable (20.950+/-23.8 vs 20.050+/-13.2).The difference is not statistically significant (p– 0.264).The mean haemoglobin value among pregnant women with GDM (11.70+/- 1.247) was significantly higher than the pregnant women without GDM(10.29+/- 1.221). This is statistically significant also (p– 0.00).Interpretation & Conclusions: It seems that routine administration of iron supplements to all pregnant women without estimating Iron stores needs more evaluation since a positive relationship has been found between GDM and increased serum Ferritin level and a statistically significant relationship between Haemoglobin level and GDM.