Analysis of serum retinol levels in nursing mothers with and without gestational diabetes mellitus attended in a public maternity hospital in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Vitamin A is essential in all stages of life, especially during pregnancy and lactation. Individuals with diabetes mellitus have been considered as a group at risk of showing deficiency of micronutrients and related compounds, such as vitamins A, E, and C. Accordingly, women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have also been identified as a group at risk of presenting low levels of vitamin A. This study aimed to compare the serum retinol of nursing women with and without GDM attended at Maternidade Escola Januário Cicco, in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. Sera from 85 mothers were collected, of which 16 had DMG. The serum retinol was quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. The results were expressed by its mean and standard deviation, which presented significant differences in concentration between groups with and without GDM: the concentration levels were of 33.1 ± 12.5 μg/dL and 41.2 ± 11.1 μg/dL, respectively. Although the mechanism responsible for changes in the levels of vitamin A in patients with diabetes has not been elucidated, it is known that the metabolism of retinol is physiologically associated with the β-cell function; consequently, when abnormalities in insulin secretion are observed, there might be changes in the concentration of retinol-binding protein and, therefore, retinol in serum. These results show the importance of monitoring the levels of this vitamin during pregnancy, especially when the mother has diabetes mellitus, to prevent other pathological complications in her and the infant.