Investigating Serum Ferritin Levels and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, in two Healthcare Institutions in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder during pregnancy, which causes morbidity and mortality with long-term complications. Some studies have found correlation between increased serum ferritin levels and insulin resistance but the relationship between serum ferritin and risk of GDM has been conflicting. The study aims to correlate GDM risks and increased blood ferritin levels. It was a case-controlled study involving 126 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic after 24 weeks gestation. A fasting blood sugar level of >92mg/dl and a 2-hour postprandial after a 75g glucose load, >153mg/dl, were included as cases (n=63). For each selected case, the next presenting normal non-diabetic patient matched for body mass index (BMI) was selected as control (n=63). Mean maternal age, gestational age, parity, BMI, family history of DM, previous history of congenital anomalies and stillbirths were similar between the two groups. However, differences in previous macrosomic babies in women with GDM compared to those without GDM (p = 0.042) was reported. The mean serum ferritin levels in women with GDM was 92.66 ng/ml compared to 39.89 ng/ml in women without GDM (p<0.01). Elevated serum ferritin levels was moderately and positively correlated with the risk of developing GDM (r= 0.635,p<0.01). With binary regression analysis, elevated serum ferritin level was found to be an independent risk factor in the development of GDM. There was a significant correlation between elevated serum ferritin levels and GDM. Therefore, elevated serum ferritin level is an independent risk factor for the development of GDM.