Free Fatty Acids of Newborns from Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Fetal macrosomia in gestational diabetes mellitus is contributed to by compensatory fetal mechanisms responding to alterations in maternal metabolism. Objectives: To compare FFA and blood glucose concentrations of newborns derived from healthy and hyperglycemic mothers. Methods: Prospective study included two equal groups of term newborns (50) from GDM and healthy mothers. Blood was derived from umbilical and cubital vein of mothers immediately after birth. Results: The mean FFA concentration of mothers did not differ whereas in infants of GDM mothers FFA were significantly lower. A significant correlation was found between FFA levels of healthy mothers and their newborns (p < 0.05). No such correlation was found in GDM group (p > 0.05). A significant correlation was found between mother's and newborn's glycemia (p < 0.05) in both groups. Conclusion: Suppression of FFA acids in newborn blood of mothers with GDM may represent the lipogenic and antilipolytic activity of the fetus. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.