DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i06.013

Pages: 2090-2096

The relationship between platelets indices and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has not been studied widely. The association between mean platelet volume (MPV) and HbA1c as glycemic control marker has been investigated in few studies. The study aimed to compare the platelets indices in pregnant women with and without GDM, to evaluate the relationship between MPV and HbA1c. Case-control study was conducted on 100 Sudanese pregnant women aged above 17 years with a singleton pregnancy at 16 weeks of gestation or more. They were enrolled when attended Omdurman Maternity Hospital for antenatal care, were divided into two groups: 50 were newly diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as cases, 50 were normal pregnancies as controls. Platelets indices were performed as part of complete blood count by automated blood cell counter. HbA1C % also was determined by a fully automated procedure. MPV value was found to be significantly higher in the group with GDM, than that of the control group [12.1 ± 1.1 vs. 9.1 ± 2.5; P= 0.04]. However, the difference in the platelets distribution width (PDW) was borderline [16.1 ± 6.3 vs. 12.5 ± 7.5; P= 0.07]. HbA1c% was significantly higher in the group of GDM [7.2 ± 2.6 vs. 5.4 ± 1.8; P= 0.00001). However, Hemoglobin level and red blood cells (RBCs) indices had no effects on HbA1c values in GDM; since these parameters didn't vary significantly between cases and control, P > 0.05). A weak positive correlation was found between MPV and HbA1c ( (r = 0.14, P = 0.019). Socio-demographic, clinical, and obstetric data were compared; a maternal age of > 25 years was significantly associated with GDM (p. value : 0.005). We concluded that MPV value was significantly higher in GDM group than normal pregnancies. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between MPV and HbA1c values. Maternal age of > 25 years could be a risk factor for GDM.