[Hemoglobin A1c and its variations in pregnancy].

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Endocrinology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reflects average blood glucose over 2-3 months.
• Understanding HbA1c changes during pregnancy is crucial for maternal and fetal health.
• Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses risks to both mother and child.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal changes in Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels throughout pregnancy in non-diabetic women.
• To evaluate the utility of a novel assay for assessing glucose tolerance in pregnancy.
• To explore the potential of this assay in identifying women at risk for gestational diabetes.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 306 non-diabetic pregnant women was prospectively studied.
• Haemoglobin A1c levels were measured at various gestational stages using a specific assay.
• Carbohydrate metabolism markers were assessed concurrently.

Main Results:

• HbA1c levels showed a progressive decline during the first 25 weeks of gestation.
• After 25 weeks, HbA1c levels remained relatively stable throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.
• No significant correlation was observed between carbohydrate metabolism parameters and HbA1c levels.
• The new assay demonstrated potential in providing additional information on glucose tolerance.

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy is associated with dynamic changes in HbA1c, characterized by an initial decrease followed by stabilization.
• The novel assay may enhance the assessment of glucose metabolism during pregnancy.
• This assay could serve as a valuable tool for the early detection of gestational diabetes mellitus.