Early Pregnancy Serum Ferritin Levels as a Predictor for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

High Serum Ferritin Early in Pregnancy May Predict the Development of Gestational Diabetes Later.

This prospective study evaluates a target population of pregnant women at the time of pregnancy diagnosis to investigate the predictive value of serum ferritin (SF) levels for the later development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The intervention involves measuring early-pregnancy SF, transferrin, and hemoglobin levels, alongside HbA1c, and comparing these biomarkers between women who later develop GDM and those who remain normoglycemic. The primary outcome is to assess the success rate of this diagnostic regimen in identifying high-risk individuals, aiming to establish SF as a valuable early biomarker for GDM to enable timely interventions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed pregnancy at an early gestational age.
• Provision of clinical and family history (e.g., age, BMI, history of GDM).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-existing Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
• Conditions known to significantly alter iron metabolism independent of pregnancy.