Glycosylated haemoglobin [HBA1c] in diabetic mothers, its relation to fetal calcium, magnesium and fetal condition at birth

ABSTRACT

The study comprised 45 women in the last trimester of pregnancy, 15 healthy control and 30 diabetic women [15 women established diabetes and 15 gestational diabetes], both groups are age matched. Maternal blood samples were taken at delivery for estimation of HbA[1c] and glucose and cord blood sample immediately after delivery for determination of calcium and magnesium, one minute Apgar score and fetal birth weight were estimated as well. The study has shown that maternal HbA [1c] is significantly higher in diabetic than in control women and in established than gestational diabetes with a strong correlation between maternal HbA[1c] and glucose levels. The study has shown also that infants of diabetic mothers [IDM] are at higher risk for hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia but without any significant difference between established and gestational diabetes. Neonatal hypocalcemia correlated with maternal HbA[1c] but hypomagnesemia did not, however there was a strong correlation between neonatal calcium and magnesium in IDM. It has been found also that IDM are at higher risk for macrosomia with no significant difference between established and gestational diabetes. One minute Apgar score showed insignificant correlation with maternal HbA[1c] at time of delivery. So maternal HbA1[c] could be used as a parameter in diabetic control in the last trimester of pregnancy and it may be useful in predicting fetal condition at birth