Maternal serum fructosamine values after delivery of macrosomic babies and unexplained stillbirths

Measurement of serum fructosamine and haemoglobin A1 levels and glucose tolerance tests were performed in 75 women in the immediate postpartum period. None had predisposing factors to gestational diabetes. They were divided into three groups: group I consisted of 15 women who delivered an unexplained stillbirth; group II of 30 women who gave birth to babies weighing between 2,500 g and 3,900 g at term; and group III of 30 women who delivered babies weighing greater than or equal to 4,000 g. There was a significant difference in the mean level of serum fructosamine between the unexplained stillbirth and control groups (P less than 0.001). Although the HbA1 values varied in the three groups, there was a significant difference between the unexplained stillbirth group and the macrosomic infant group (P less than 0.05). All patients had normal glucose tolerance tests.