Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Serum ferritin is the standard measurement for the body iron stores, and is the most reliable marker for iron status. During pregnancy, there is a gradual decline in serum ferritin level. However, elevated maternal serum ferritin was notified in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the association between maternal serum ferritin level and gestational diabetes.
METHODS:
A prospective case control study of 50 women with singleton pregnancy that had gestational diabetes compared to 50 healthy pregnant women. The study was performed in Baghdad teaching hospital for one year period from June 2010 through June 2011. Serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and serum ferritin level were assayed. Mean serum ferritin was elevated (95.6027±99 ng/ml) in women with gestational diabetes, compared to that in the control group (31.7213±42ng/ml).
RESULTS:
There was a statistically significant elevation of serum ferritin in women with gestational diabetes. CONCLUSION:
We concluded that there is a positive association between the elevated serum ferritin and gestational diabetes.