Background: Diabetes Mellitus poses substantial risk for the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Glycosylated HbA1C is increased in chronic hyperglycemia and co-relates closely with an increased risk of fetal and neonatal complications. Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine the association of maternal serum HbA1C level with fetal outcome. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective observational study carried out in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in BIRDEM Hospital during the period of September 2006 to August 2007. During this study period, 100 pregnant patients with diabetes who attended or were admitted at BIRDEM Hospital were randomly selected. Estimation of serum HbA1C level was done in all patients in each trimester. From each patient 5 cc blood was taken and HbA1C level was measured by enzymatic method. HbA1C level < 6% was considered as normal. The complications in antenatal period, in postpartum period, during labour and fetal outcome were studied. Results: In this study serum HbA1C level was found raised in 83% of study subjects. Neonatal complications were higher in study subjects with uncontrolled HbA1C level. Among the complications in uncontrolled group the highest incidence was of neonatal hypoglycaemia (38.55%), followed by hyperbilirubinaemia (33.73%), macrosomia (18.07%) RDS (12.05%), birth asphyxia (12.05%), septicemia (6.02%) and IUGR (3.61%). Unexplained IUD occurred in 38.55%  subjects in uncontrolled group.

HbA1C, a potential predictor of fetal outcome in pregnancy with diabetes