Association of Serum Zinc Levels and Some Risk Factors with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Women Referred to the Diabetes Clinic of Bu-Ali Hospital of Zahedan in 2021

Background: Diabetes is the most common medical complication of pregnancy. Low serum zinc levels in pregnant women can cause uterine growth restriction and increase the risk of abortion and neural tube defects. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the association of serum zinc levels with gestational diabetes (GDM) in diabetic and healthy pregnant women referred to Bu-Ali Hospital in Zahedan. Methods: This case-control study was performed on 70 pregnant women, including 35 diabetics and 35 healthy subjects, referred to our diabetes clinic. The subjects were enrolled based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic, clinical, and obstetric characteristics of the subjects were gathered, and a diabetes screening test was performed for all of them. Then 3 mL of blood was taken from each person to determine serum zinc level by a calorimetric method. Statistical analysis using SPSS software was 16. Results: The means of serum zinc level in pregnant women with GDM and healthy pregnant women were 62.22 ± 5.57 and 89.17 ± 12.16 g /dL, respectively (P = 0.001). Except for the mean values of fasting, 1-hour, and 2-hour blood sugar levels (P = 0.001), there was no significant difference between diabetic and non-diabetic women in terms of age, weight, gestational age, number of deliveries, number of abortions, and body mass index. Conclusions: Our results indicated that most of the pregnant women had severe zinc deficiency, which could intensify pregnancy complications, boosting the risk of pregnancy complications for mothers and neonates. Therefore, screening for gestational diabetes and zinc deficiency and their treatment are recommended to improve pregnancy outcomes.