Maternal glycosylated haemoglobin values after delivery of large infants and unexplained stillbirths

Glycosylated haemoglobin (Hb A1) values were estimated immediately after delivery in 29 patients who had given birth to a large infant, in 25 who had delivered a macerated stillborn infant, and in 31 controls matched for age and parity. No difference in mean Hb A1 values was found between mothers of normal-sized and of large infants. The mean Hb A1 level for the mothers who had delivered a macerated stillborn infant was higher than that for the control group (8,26% v. 7,65%). Although this was not statistically significant, there were 5 patients with a raised Hb A1 value and a normal glucose tolerance test result; this may suggest gestational diabetes.