Oral Iron Supplementation at 60 mg/day vs. 30 mg/day to be Assessed for Gestational Diabetes Risk in Non-Anemic Pregnant Women

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) poses significant risks to both mother and child, including increased risk of type 2 diabetes later in life. In India, national guidelines routinely prescribe oral iron supplementation to all pregnant women under the Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) program. While the benefits of iron for women with iron-deficiency anemia are well-established, the necessity and safety of universal supplementation for non-anemic pregnant women remain contentious. Emerging evidence suggests that excess iron may impair insulin secretion and beta-cell function, potentially increasing the risk of developing GDM. This study directly addresses this critical knowledge gap by comparing different iron doses in non-anemic women to assess their impact on GDM incidence and beta-cell health.