ASSESSMENT OF SERUM FERRITIN LEVEL IN DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

Ferritin is a protein that stores and releases iron in the cells. When the body doesn’t have enough iron then ferritin gives up its iron. Whenever the body has too much iron ferritin stores it away. In diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant women changes in serum ferritin level observed during first, second and third trimester. The aim of this study is to assess serum ferritin level in first second and third trimester in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant women. A cross sectional study was carried out in MLT lab at City University of science and information technology. All diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant women were included in the study and all non- pregnant women were excluded from our study. The study shows a significant raised serum ferritin level in diabetic pregnant women in first trimester (P<.000). Same like in second and third trimester the serum ferritin in diabetic pregnant women is significantly higher (P<.000) (second trimester) and in third trimester (P<.002). In the second and third trimester as the pregnancy becomes advanced, the serum ferritin level falls and becomes lowest in the third trimester. In conclusion serum ferritin is a good and reliable marker for detection of iron during pregnancy as compared to hemoglobin; especially for latent stage iron assessment and ferritin may be included in routine clinical practices and antenatal care programs for improving health status of Pakistani women