P-167: Association between Pregnancy Dietary Iron Intake and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy complications affecting approximately 7% of all pregnancies and up to 14% of pregnancies in high-risk populations. Although, dietary iron intake is one of preventive factors for Iron deficiency which leads to less preterm delivery, prematurity, and SGA but iron is a strong pro-oxidant and high body iron levels can damage pancreatic β-cell function and impair glucose metabolism. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between Pregnancy Dietary Iron Intake and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Materials and Methods: To gain insight into this potential association, we performed a review of various literatures which focused on this association. Results: a study among13, 475 pregnant women Dietary iron intake was positivelyand significantly associated with GDM risk. After adjusting for age, BMI and other risk factors, RRs (95% CIs) across increasing quintiles of iron were 1.0 (reference), 1.11 (0.87-1.43), 1.31 (1.03-1.68), 1.51 (1.17-1.93), and 1.58 (1.21-2.08), respectively (Pfor linear trend 0.0001). Consistent findings were reported in a study which showed iron intake was positivelyand significantly associated with GDM risk (Ptrend=0.04)After adjusting for confounders, women reporting the highest iron intake levels (1.52 vs. <0.48 mg per day) experienced a 3.31 - fold-increased GDM risk (95% CI 1.02-10.72). Also, a prospective study of 1,456 healthy pregnant women reported that maternal elevated serum iron concentrations were associated with a twofold increased GDM risk. However, some previous studies focusing on supplementary iron intakes during pregnancy and GDM risk have produced no significant association between iron supplementation and GDM risk. Similar findings were reported in a study done on 1164 pregnant women which demonstrated no significant difference in the incidence of GDM in the iron supplement and placebo groups at 28 weeks (OR:1.04,95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7-1.53 at 90% power) or 36 weeks. Conclusion: According to adverse effects of GDM on mothers and infants health, it seems that prevention programs targeting pregnant women with GDM and further investigations on the effect of iron intake could be effective.