Association of Serum Ferritin Level in Early Second Trimester of Pregnancy with Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with various maternal and perinatal morbidities. Serum ferritin is a major storage protein of iron and also acts as acute phase reactant which is increased in inflammatory conditions. GDM is a state of insulin resistance and associated with inflammation. The aim of this study was to find the correlation between serum ferritin and development of GDM.

Objectives: To determine the serum ferritin concentration in nonanemic pregnant women and its correlation with subsequent development of GDM.

Methodology: In this prospective observational study, 302 nonanemic pregnant women with singleton gestation between 14 and 20 weeks, attending antenatal OPD, were enrolled. Serum ferritin was measured at the time of enrolment, and they were followed till 24-28 weeks of gestation and subjected to blood glucose test by DIPSI method. A total of 92 women had blood glucose level ≥ 140 mg/dl and were labeled as GDM, and 210 pregnant women with blood glucose level < 140 mg/dl were labeled as non-GDM.

Result: Mean serum ferritin level of women with GDM (56.44 ± 19.19 ng/ml) was found to be higher as compared to non-GDM (27.62 ± 12.11 ng/ml), and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). The cutoff value of serum ferritin > 37.55 ng/ml was found to be 85.9% sensitive and 81.9% specific.

Conclusion: We can infer that serum ferritin is associated with development of GDM. Based on the findings of the current study, serum ferritin level can be used a predictive marker for the development of GDM.