Estimation of Risk Factors and Haemoglobin in Early Pregnancy as Predictors of Diabetes in Pregnancy at Benghazi Medical Center, Libya: A Prospective Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Hyperglycemia that is first detected at any time during pregnancy can be classified as either diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). DIP may be an undiagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or “overt diabetes” identified in the first trimester while GDM develops in the second and third trimesters. Globally, an estimated 21.1 million live births were exposed to some form of hyperglycemia in pregnancy, of which 80.3% were due to GDM.

Aim and Objective: To determine whether elevated haemoglobin levels during early pregnancy are associated with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study; includes a pregnant woman in early pregnancy (gestational age <14 weeks) enrolled in the study who is visiting the outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Benghazi Medical Center for 6 months (1- 7-2022-to31-12-2022).

Results: The mean age of the participant was 28.9 years old, with a mean body weight of 76.1Kg high HB level in the first trimester of more than 11.5 associated with a high FBS of more than 126. p-value 0.03 which means less than 0.05 which means mild significance.

Conclusion: GDM is more likely to develop in women with high haemoglobin levels in the first trimester of pregnancy.