Abstract
Adequate nutrition is critical in pregnancy, because both the fetus and an infant are dependent on adequate maternal stores of micronutrients. The current study aimed to assess statuses of the essential micronutrient (iron, copper and zinc) in normal pregnancy and in pregnancies complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The study included three groups: non-pregnant (n = 44), healthy normal pregnancy (n = 47) and pregnancy complicated with GDM (n = 42). Results revealed significant variations in iron status as indicated by decreased serum iron and elevated TIBC, both in normal pregnancy and in GDM. Serum copper was higher in normal pregnancy and in GDM, while ceruloplasmin was elevated only in normal pregnancy compared to nonpregnant. Serum zinc showed a trend towards decrease in normal pregnancy and no change in GDM compared to non-pregnant group. No significant correlations were obtained between each of iron, copper, zinc and their related markers with markers of insulin resistance in pregnancy. It could be concluded that normal pregnancy and GDM are associated with imbalance in iron, copper and zinc status, however, the imbalance in trace elements has no significant role in the decreased insulin sensitivity associated with pregnancy, especially in GDM.