Original Article

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009) 63, 1327–1334; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2009.33; published online 27 May 2009

Glucose kinetics and pregnancy outcome in Indian women with low and normal body mass indices

P Dwarkanath1, A V Kurpad1, S Muthayya1, T Thomas1, A Mhaskar2, R Mhaskar2, A Thomas2, M Vaz1 and F Jahoor3

  1. 1St John's Research Institute, St John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  2. 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  3. 3USDA/Agricultural Research Service, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

Correspondence: Dr AV Kurpad, Division of Nutrition, St John's Research Institute, St John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Sarjapur Road, Bangalore 560034, India. E-mail: a.kurpad@iphcr.res.in

Received 28 May 2008; Revised 20 March 2009; Accepted 15 April 2009; Published online 27 May 2009.

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Abstract

Background/Objectives:

 

Fetal energy demands are met from the oxidation of maternally supplied glucose and amino acids. During the fasted state, the glucose supply is thought to be met by gluconeogenesis. Underweight women with low body mass index (BMI) might be unable to adequately supply amino acids to satisfy the demands of gluconeogenesis.

Subjects/Methods:

 

Glucose kinetics were measured during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy in 10 low-BMI and 10 normal-BMI pregnant women at the 12th hour of an overnight fast using a primed 6 h U-13C glucose infusion and was correlated to maternal dietary and anthropometric variables and birth weight.

Results:

 

Low-BMI mothers consumed more energy, carbohydrates and protein, had faster glucose production (R a) and oxidation rates in the first trimester. In the same trimester, dietary energy and carbohydrate correlated with glucose production, glycogenolysis and glucose oxidation in all women. Both groups had similar rates of gluconeogenesis in the first and second trimesters. Glucose R a in the second trimester was weakly correlated with the birth weight (r=0.4, P=0.07).

Conclusions:

 

Maternal energy and carbohydrate intakes, not BMI, appear to influence glucose R a and oxidation in early and mid pregnancy.

Keywords:

BMI, LBW, glucose kinetics, gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, pregnancy

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