No abstract

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) exposes women to a higher risk for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in later years of life. Newborns of mothers with GDM are at increased risk for acute perinatal complications including hypoglycaemia, jaundice and being large for gestational age. One of the mechanisms underlying glucose metabolism in pregnancy are a group of substances, which includes leptin and adiponectin, produced mainly in the adipose tissue; in this paper we analyze the role of these mediators in women with GDM. This case control study was performed in 90 females (30 GDM patients and 60 control subjects without GDM) referred to a tertiary care hospital. Blood samples were analyzed for fasting blood glucose, leptin and adiponectin. Leptin and Adiponectin were analyzed using ELISA technique. In our study, the levels of fasting blood glucose were statistically significantly higher (p=0.000) in gestational diabetes patients as compared to controls. There was statistically significant positive correlation between blood glucose and leptin (p = 0.000, r = 0.585). There was statistically significant negative correlation between blood glucose and adiponectin(p = 0.000, r = -0.661). An amplification of the low-grade inflammation already existing in normal pregnancy may lead to increase in leptin and decrease in adiponectin. These factors may play a role in development of gestational diabetes mellitus. Further studies are required for establishing them as a marker for gestational diabetes mellitus.

objective. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the foetal morbidity and mortality and there is also risk of development of type II diabetes for the mother. In pregnancy iron supplementations are given to all the females in India. Data are not available on the relationship between serum ferritin and GDM in Indian populations.material & methods. Case control study was done on 90 women (30 GDM patients approx 28 weeks of gestation and 60 control subjects without GDM) referred to the tertiary care hospital at New Delhi. Ferritin was analysed by ELISA kit. They were analyzed for the correlation of ferritin with blood glucose in GDM patients.results. On comparison with blood glucose the levels of ferritin were statistically significantly high in GDM cases as compared to controls (p value 0.008). There was a negative correlation of ferritin with blood glucose level (r value -0.039, p value 0.794).discussion. Pregnancy is an equivalent of an inflammatory state and the high levels of ferritin can help in determining the need of iron supplementation given in pregnant females. Women who had high serum ferritin had the greatest risk of GDM.Conclusion. This study suggests a possible link between elevated serum ferritin and low-grade inflammation. Further studies in larger populations are required to establish this study.