Glycosylated hemoglobin and plasma protein in newborns of normal and diabetic women.

The glycosylated hemoglobin (glyco Hb) and the glycoprotein of the plasma were determined using affinity chromatographic techniques in cord blood and maternal blood of normal (Group I), White's Class A diabetic (Group II), and insulin-dependent diabetic (Group III) mothers. The results revealed significant increase of glyco Hb (P less than 0.005) and glycoprotein (P less than 0.005) in the newborns of Group III mothers in comparison to those of Group I. The glyco Hb of maternal blood in this group also showed significant increase (P less than 0.005) while the increase in Hb A1 and plasma glycoprotein were nonsignificant. All values for cord blood and maternal blood of White's Class A diabetics revealed no significant change from the normal group. We conclude that the fetuses of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers are hyperglycemic in utero.