A Comparative Study of HbA1c Levels and Serum Ferritin among Iron Deficient Anemic Pregnant Women and Normal Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Hospital

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common cause of anemia. Pregnancy is usually associated with anemia, and additionally in late pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia is seen which is caused by increase in iron demands. HbA1c is affected by several factors including pregnancy. Objective: To estimate HbA1C and serum ferritin levels and compare them among Iron deficient anemic pregnant women and normal pregnant women. Methods: Comparative cross- sectional study was performed on 100 patients, among which 50 were Iron deficient Anemic (IDA) pregnant women and 50 were normal pregnant women, attending obstetrics OP, GGH, Ananthapuramu. Detailed history of patient, clinical examination was done. Laboratory parameters estimated were HbA1c, serum ferritin, complete blood count, and fasting blood sugar. Pregnant women aged 18-35 years and those willing to give consent were included in the study. Pregnant women with a known H/o Diabetes, Hemoglobinopathy, Chronic liver and kidney disease were excluded from the study. Institutional ethical committee clearance was obtained. Results: In the current study mean±S.D levels of HbA1c was 4.54 ± 0.66 in control group, while in cases was 6.21 ± 0.36. The difference was statistically significant (p value <0.05). In our study, among cases HbA1c inversely correlated with serum ferritin (r value -0.336 and p value <0.05). Conclusion: The present study concluded that the levels of HbA1c were increased significantly among patients with iron deficiency anaemia. So, Iron deficiency anaemia has to be kept in mind before taking into consideration HbA1c levels to diagnose diabetes mellitus.