The association between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study
Abstract Background The relationship between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum ferritin levels and the incidence of GDM. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 10...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07220-z |
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| author | Shaofei Su Shen Gao Enjie Zhang Jianhui Liu Shuanghua Xie Yue Zhang Ruixia Liu Wentao Yue Chenghong Yin |
| author_facet | Shaofei Su Shen Gao Enjie Zhang Jianhui Liu Shuanghua Xie Yue Zhang Ruixia Liu Wentao Yue Chenghong Yin |
| author_sort | Shaofei Su |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The relationship between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum ferritin levels and the incidence of GDM. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 10,871 pregnant women from the China Birth Cohort Study. Serum ferritin levels were measured using the direct chemiluminescence method in the first and second trimesters. Baseline serum ferritin levels were categorized into five groups according to quintiles in the first trimester, and trimester-specific median values were used to divide serum ferritin levels into four subgroups. GDM was determined by a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 weeks of gestation. Multivariate modified Poisson regression was performed to estimate the independent relationship between serum ferritin levels and the incident GDM. Results The median serum ferritin level in the first trimester was 57.7 ng/mL, and 13.5% of participants developed GDM. After multivariate adjustment, the RRs and 95% CIs for incident GDM across baseline serum-ferritin quintiles were 1.099 (0.940–1.285), 1.228 (1.055–1.430), 1.186 (1.018–1.383) and 1.179 (1.017–1.367), respectively. Furthermore, participants with low serum ferritin levels in the first trimester that increased to high levels in the second trimester (RR = 1.376, 95% CI: 1.169–1.612) and those with consistently high serum ferritin levels in the first and second trimesters (RR = 1.351, 95% CI: 1.185–1.541) had a significantly increased risk of GDM. Conclusions Changes in serum ferritin levels are independent risk factors for GDM. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining iron metabolism at an appropriate level during early to mid-pregnancy to reduce the risk of developing GDM. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aab97ae4c7fb4653943dd071f4d1a118 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj-art-aab97ae4c7fb4653943dd071f4d1a1182025-02-02T12:47:01ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-01-012511810.1186/s12884-025-07220-zThe association between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort studyShaofei Su0Shen Gao1Enjie Zhang2Jianhui Liu3Shuanghua Xie4Yue Zhang5Ruixia Liu6Wentao Yue7Chenghong Yin8Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalDepartment of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalDepartment of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalDepartment of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalDepartment of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalDepartment of Research Management, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalDepartment of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalDepartment of Research Management, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalDepartment of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalAbstract Background The relationship between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum ferritin levels and the incidence of GDM. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 10,871 pregnant women from the China Birth Cohort Study. Serum ferritin levels were measured using the direct chemiluminescence method in the first and second trimesters. Baseline serum ferritin levels were categorized into five groups according to quintiles in the first trimester, and trimester-specific median values were used to divide serum ferritin levels into four subgroups. GDM was determined by a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 weeks of gestation. Multivariate modified Poisson regression was performed to estimate the independent relationship between serum ferritin levels and the incident GDM. Results The median serum ferritin level in the first trimester was 57.7 ng/mL, and 13.5% of participants developed GDM. After multivariate adjustment, the RRs and 95% CIs for incident GDM across baseline serum-ferritin quintiles were 1.099 (0.940–1.285), 1.228 (1.055–1.430), 1.186 (1.018–1.383) and 1.179 (1.017–1.367), respectively. Furthermore, participants with low serum ferritin levels in the first trimester that increased to high levels in the second trimester (RR = 1.376, 95% CI: 1.169–1.612) and those with consistently high serum ferritin levels in the first and second trimesters (RR = 1.351, 95% CI: 1.185–1.541) had a significantly increased risk of GDM. Conclusions Changes in serum ferritin levels are independent risk factors for GDM. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining iron metabolism at an appropriate level during early to mid-pregnancy to reduce the risk of developing GDM.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07220-zSerum ferritinCohort studyGestational diabetes mellitus |
| spellingShingle | Shaofei Su Shen Gao Enjie Zhang Jianhui Liu Shuanghua Xie Yue Zhang Ruixia Liu Wentao Yue Chenghong Yin The association between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Serum ferritin Cohort study Gestational diabetes mellitus |
| title | The association between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study |
| title_full | The association between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study |
| title_fullStr | The association between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The association between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study |
| title_short | The association between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study |
| title_sort | association between serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus a prospective cohort study |
| topic | Serum ferritin Cohort study Gestational diabetes mellitus |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07220-z |
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