Abstract
Aim: To determine the impact of maternal pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) on insulin sensitivity in term neonates.
Methods: The study group consisted of 130 term neonates without major malformations, whose mothers did not have chronic hypertension or intrauterine infections. Neonates were divided into two groups according to the maternal presence or absence of PIH. Anthropometric measurements were performed at birth. Fasting glucose and insulin levels were measured on the 3rd day after birth. Lipids were determined from blood samples obtained by venipuncture from 72 neonates.
Results: The 24 neonates born to mothers with PIH had significantly lower birth weight, body length and chest circumference (p< 0.05) than 106 neonates born to mothers without PIH. Insulin levels and insulin:glucose ratio in neonates born to mothers with PIH were significantly higher than that in controls (mean±SE 15.98± 2.18 vs 10.33± 1.04 µIU/ml, p< 0.05; 4.15± 0.57 vs 2.52±0.27, p< 0.05, respectively), despite similar glucose levels (mean±SE 4.07± 0.26 vs 4.45± 0.14 mmol/l, p=0.265). This association was still observed after adjusting for birth weight. Furthermore, 12 neonates of mothers with PIH had significantly higher mean triglyceride levels, and lower mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than 60 neonates from mothers without PIH (mean±SE 1.98 ± 0.24 vs 1.36 ± 0.11 mmol/l, p< 0.05; 0.51 ± 0.11 vs 0.81± 0.05 mmol/l p< 0.05 respectively).
Conclusion: Intrauterine environment may be a major determinant in neonatal metabolism; maternal PIH may influence birth weight and insulin sensitivity of term neonates.
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Wang, X., Cui, Y. 1103 Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and Signs of Decreased Insulin Sensitivity in the Neonates. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 547 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-01103
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-01103