Glucose tolerance in obese pregnant women determines newborn fat mass.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Offspring of obese women have both short-term and long-term increased morbidities. We investigated the relationship between maternal 2-h plasma glucose level determined by an oral glucose tolerance test, degree of obesity, gestational weight gain and total fat, abdominal fat, and fat-free masses in the offspring of obese mothers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Obese mother-newborn dyads were recruited and 2-h plasma glucose levels were assessed during gestational weeks 27-30; neonatal body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning (DXA) within 48 h of birth.

RESULTS:

Among 264 term, healthy, and singleton infants eligible for inclusion, 248 were included. Of these, 205 (83%) obese mother-newborn dyads had a DXA scan and 2-h plasma glucose measurements. Linear regression analysis showed that birthweight z-scores correlated with 2-h plasma glucose levels (p = 0.002) after adjusting for gestational weight gain, maternal age, education, smoking, prepregnancy degree of obesity, parity, and birth length. Total (p = 0.012) and abdominal (p = 0.039) fat masses correlated with 2-h plasma glucose levels after adjusting for gestational weight gain, maternal age, education, smoking, prepregnancy degree of obesity, parity, gestational age, and newborn sex. There was no association between total (p = 0.88) and abdominal (p = 0.61) fat-free masses and 2-h plasma glucose.

CONCLUSION:

At 27-30 weeks of gestation, 2-h plasma glucose levels are related to total and abdominal newborn fat masses, but not to fat-free mass. Interventions targeting maternal postprandial glucose levels may induce more appropriate birthweight, thereby reducing the risk of subsequent morbidity.

• Authors: Emma M Carlsen, Kristina M Renault, Kirsten Nørgaard, Lisbet Nilas, Jens-Erik B Jensen, Mette F Hitz, Kim F Michaelsen, Dina Cortes, Ole Pryds
• Journal: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand) Vol. 95 Issue 4 Pg. 429-35 (Apr 2016) ISSN: 1600-0412 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26661377 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Topics

• Absorptiometry, Photon
• Adiposity
• Adult
• Birth Weight
• Body Composition
• Female
• Fetal Development
• Glucose Tolerance Test
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Obesity
• Pediatric Obesity (etiology)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Outcome
• Risk Factors
• Weight Gain