Levels of fasting blood glucose and serum fructosamine for monitoring of glucose control in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The predictive values of fasting blood glucose and serum fructosamine for monitoring long-term diabetic control were investigated in 98 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. The HbAlc percentage was taken as standard in this study. Despite a significant correlation, the predictive values of the parameters studied for an acceptable HbAlc-value appeared to be low (37% and 44% respectively), possibly due to differences in periods of time in which these parameters can change during variable metabolic control. In addition, the serum fructosamine value may vary due to variations in serum albumin and lipid content. It is concluded that the fasting blood glucose and serum fructosamine values cannot replace HbAlc measurement for monitoring diabetic control, but are supplementary for assessment of this control over short- and long-term periods of time.     

Cord blood cells and indices: smoking–related differences between the sexes

The values of whole blood cell count, leucocyte differential, and platelet and reticulocyte counts were determined in cord blood of both male ( n = 64) and female ( n = 75) newborns of 87 non–smoking and 52 smoking mothers. Leucocytes and neutrophils in cord blood from the male newborns of smokers were significantly lower than those in their female counterparts and in male newborns of non–smokers. These results suggest that male newborns are more affected by cigarette exposure than females with regard to some haematological parameters.