Project overview
This prospective case-control study, conducted at KIMS, Bhubaneswar from 2023 to 2025, compared hematological and reticulocyte parameters between neonates born to gestational diabetic mothers (n = 100) and those from uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 200). The research aimed to assess erythropoietic stress and potential early indicators of iron deficiency using advanced reticulocyte indices such as absolute reticulocyte count (ARC), immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF), and reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET-He), all analyzed via automated hematology analyzers. Findings revealed that neonates of GDM mothers had significantly higher hemoglobin levels, RBC counts, hematocrit (PCV), and elevated ARC and IRF values, suggesting enhanced erythropoiesis likely triggered by intrauterine hypoxia and fetal hyperinsulinemia. Despite these increases, RET-He values were similar between groups, indicating that the quality of hemoglobin synthesis in newly formed red cells remained intact, suggesting adequate iron availability.
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