Comparison of Glycated Albumin (GA) and Glycosylated Hemoglobin (A1C) in monitoring glycemic excursions during pregnancy

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Objective: To compare GA with A1Cin monitoring glycemic excursions during pregnancy. Research Design and Methods: This study included 30 women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and an equal number with Normal Glucose Tolerance (NGT). GDM were followed up every 2 weeks till 36 - 37 weeks and NGT were reviewed monthly once. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), Postprandial Plasma Glucose (PPG), Ferritin, GA and A1Cwere estimated. GDM were advised Medical Nutritional Therapy (MNT). Target glycemic control was FPG ~ 5 mmol/L and 2 hr PPG ~ 6.6 mmol/L. Non-responders to MNT were administered insulin. Results: In GDM, mean FPG was 5.16 ± 0.55 mmol/L in the first visit and 4.73 ± 0.52 mmol/L in the last visit. The PPG at first visit was 7.07 ± 1.51 mmol/L and 6.16 ± 0.70 mmol/L in the last visit. The mean GA was 12.48% ± 0.8%, 12.51% ± 0.9%, 12.40% ± 1.0%, 12.30% ± 0.86% and 12.38% ± 0.87% at the first, second, third, fourth and fifth visit respectively. The mean A1Cat first, third and fifth visits was 5.16% ± 0.35%, 5.24% ± 0.29% and 5.21% ± 0.28% respectively. In NGT women, mean FPG at first visit was 4.37 ± 0.37 mmol/L and 4.39 ± 0.43 mmol/L in the last visit. The mean PPG was 5.95 ± 1.01 mmol/L in the first visit and 5.75 ± 1.61 mmol/L in the last visit. The mean GA was 12.17% ± 0.85% in first visit and 12.10% ± 0.77% in the last visit. A1Cwas 4.84% ± 0.31% and 4.91% ± 0.33% in the first and last visit respectively. Conclusions: Glycemic control was observed earlier with GA than A1C. GA is a better indicator of recent past short-term glycemic control in GDM.