Glucose tolerance in obese pregnant women determines newborn fat mass. (20th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carlsen, Emma M.; Renault, Kristina M.; Nørgaard, Kirsten; Nilas, Lisbet; Jensen, Jens‐Erik B.; Hitz, Mette F.; Michaelsen, Kim F.; Cortes, Dina; Pryds, Ole
• Is Part Of: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. Volume 95:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 429
• Page End: 435
• Publication Date: 2016-01-20
• Subjects: Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scanning -- gestational weight gain -- glucose tolerance -- newborn body composition -- pre‐pregnancy obesity; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12839
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6349

Abstract

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.