Introduction: Pregnancy is commonly recognized as a state of physiological and temporary insulin resistance. This condition is driven by high concentrations of steroid hormones such as progesterone, estrogens, prolactin, cortisol and placenta-derived human placental lactogen. All of these are diabetogenic and combined cause for decreased sensitivity of insulin receptors within target tissues. Women with prior GDM are at greater risk for developing hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and electrocardiogram abnormalities.

Materials and Methods: seventy five patients with Gestational diabetes mellitus and 75 healthy Normal pregnant women were enrolled for the study after the institutional ethical committee’s clearance was obtained. The fasting blood samples of the study subjects were evaluated for the glucose, lipid profile, Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and calculated BMI.  

Results: Lipid peroxidation is enhanced in GDM group as MDA values have elevated significantly (p < 0.0001) compared to normal pregnancy. Total cholesterol (p< 0.001) and LDL (p = 0.001) are found to be significantly higher in GDM, but there are no significant differences in triglycerides and HDL between normal and diabetic pregnant women. Obesity is observed in GDM group as their BMI (p < 0.001) is significantly higher than that of the control group.

Conclusions: It was found that GDM is associated with hyperlipidaemia as evidenced by the significantly elevated total cholesterol and LDL concentrations. Obesity and lipid peroxidation are significantly high in GDM.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus, HbA1c, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, BMI.

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Dr R. Vijayalakshmi

Consultant Biochemist, Pink Breast Cancer Center, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

(Former Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry, NRI Medical College, China Kakani, Guntur. A.P.)