OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the scientific evidence about the relationship between iron and gestational diabetes mellitus.

METHODOLOGY:

Narrative review, based on the search for articles published from 2000 to 2021 in the PubMed, LILACS, BIREME, NICE, SIGN and CENETEC databases with the MeSH: Iron, iron and diabetes, Iron overland, Gestational Diabetes and Iron Overland and Gestational Diabetes. Those related to the topic of interest were selected.

RESULTS:

119 articles were found and only 34 were considered adequate for the purpose of the review because they were directly related to iron metabolism, gestational diabetes and iron as a cause of gestational diabetes. Cross-sectional studies, cases and controls, cohorts, trials, reviews and meta-analyses were obtained.

CONCLUSIONS:

The relationship between iron and gestational diabetes mellitus is not properly established; however, it has been related to the oxidative capacity of iron through different mechanisms that accentuate insulin resistance. It is suggested that high iron concentrations could be a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus.