The Relationship Between Glycated Hemoglobin and the Control of Gestational Diabetes, Maternal and Fetal Complications: A Cross-Sectional Study

Glycated Hemoglobin and Pregnancy Outcome

Authors

  • Fariba Seyedoshohadaei 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7828-2453
  • Negin Motyagheni 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2486-2081
  • Kian Lahourpour 3. General practitioner, Seyyedoshohadaei Hospital, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

Keywords:

Gestational diabetes, HbA1c, Preeclampsia, Preterm Labor, Cesarean section, Macrosomia

Abstract

Introduction:Diabetes is a common medical complication that women may experience during pregnancy. HbA1c can indicate the glycemic history and glucose levels over the past two to three months. This study investigated the correlation between HbA1c and the control of gestational diabetes as well as  maternal and fetal complications.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 146 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM via OGTT at ≥24 weeks of gestation, referred to Besat Hospital, Sanandaj, between 2017–2019. FBS, 2-hour postprandial glucose, and HbA1c were monitored every 4 weeks from 24 weeks until delivery. Maternal complications (preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, preterm birth) and neonatal complications (macrosomia, IUGR, hypoglycemia) were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.21 with Fisher's exact test and t-test.

 Result:The study revealed that only 9 (6.2%) pregnant women with gestational diabetes had an HbA1c level higher than 6%. All women with an abnormal HbA1c had preeclampsia (100% versus 9.5%). Fisher's exact test showed that there was a significant relationship between HbA1c levels greater than 6% and preeclampsia (P=0.03), the need for insulin therapy (P<0.0001), cesarean section rate (P<0.0001), and neonatal hypoglycemia (P=0.016). There was no statistically significant relationship between maternal age (P=0.09), body mass index (P=0.14), preterm labor (P=0.4), birth weight (P=0.1), and maternal HbA1c.

Conclusions:According to our study, an HbA1c level of 5% is the ideal cutoff point during pregnancy. The study also found that if the HbA1c levels exceed 6% in pregnant women with gestational diabetes, it may increase the risk of preeclampsia, cesarean section, macrosomia, and neonatal hypoglycemia. 

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Published

2026-08-25

How to Cite

1.
Seyedoshohadaei F, Motyagheni N, Lahourpour K. The Relationship Between Glycated Hemoglobin and the Control of Gestational Diabetes, Maternal and Fetal Complications: A Cross-Sectional Study: Glycated Hemoglobin and Pregnancy Outcome. Chron Dis J. 2026;14(3):113–117.

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 3 (2026)

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Original Article(s)

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