Association of serum ferritin with gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder during pregnancy and is associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidities. High serum ferritin levels have been linked to type 2 diabetes and GDM development in pregnant women. The present study was designed to evaluate the association of serum ferritin with GDM. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Dhaka Medical College from September 2020 and August 2021. Pregnant women in their second or third trimester diagnosed with GDM served as case, whereas non-diabetic pregnant women were selected as control. Serum ferritin levels were measured and compared between the groups. Results: Mean serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in the GDM group (124.97±53.78 ng/ml) than in the control (83.50±25.73 ng/ml, p<0.05). Positive correlations were observed between serum ferritin and fasting glucose (r=0.643, p<0.05) and 2-hours after glucose intake (r=0.524, p<0.05) in GDM patients. The serum ferritin level was little bit high at 25 to 32 weeks gestational age. High level of serum ferritin was more in case (42.9%) compared with that of control (14.3%). These findings are statistically significant (p=0.004). Respondents with high serum ferritin level have 4.50 times more chance to develop GDM (OR=4.50,95% CI=1.56-12.97). Conclusions: Serum ferritin levels were markedly higher in women with GDM than in those without. Therefore, high serum ferritin level can be regarded as a significant risk factor for the development of GDM.