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Observational study of maternal anthropometry and fetal insulin
H Soltani-K1, C Bruce, R B Fraser
1University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Northern General Hospital Sheffield. h.soltani@sheffield.ac.uk
Aims:
To examine the relation between maternal body fat and fetal metabolism.
Methods:
In this observational study, cord blood samples were collected from 60 infants of healthy women for the measurement of insulin and C peptide concentrations. Maternal weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and body composition (skinfold thickness measurements and bioelectrical impedance) were assessed at 13-15 weeks of gestation. Twenty five of the volunteers agreed to have a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at 28-31 weeks of gestation.
Results:
Positive correlations were observed with both cord insulin or C peptide concentrations and maternal early pregnancy BMI (r=0.44, p=0.002 and r=0.33, p=0.008, respectively). There was no significant correlation between cord insulin or C peptide concentrations and birthweight or birth weight centiles.
Conclusion:
Maternal BMI could be a predictor of fetal cord insulin concentration.