Abstract

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects approximately 7 of all pregnancies. Pregnancy, mostly because of the mitochondria-rich placenta, is a condition that favors oxidative stress. A transitional metal, especially iron, which is particularly abundant in the placenta, is important in the production of free radicals. Also, studies have shown that free radicals have a role in GDM. As there are little data about iron status in GDM, this study was performed to compare iron status in GDM and control group. Research Design and Methods: In this case-control study, 34 women with diagnosed GDM were compared with 34 non-GDM women in the control group at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy in terms of iron status, including ferritin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Results: In this study, concentration of serum ferritin, iron, transferrin saturation and hemoglobin, MCV, and MCH was significantly higher in the GDM group and TIBC was significantly lower in this group (P<.05). No significant association was observed with the other variables including familial history of diabetes and GDM. Conclusion: Our findings indicate an association between increased iron status and GDM. The role of iron excess from iron supplementation in the pathogenesis of GDM needs to be examined. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.