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Published on: April 5, 2024
Implications of pregnancy on cardiometabolic disease risk: preeclampsia and gestational diabetes
Mona Elgazzaz1,2, Padmashree C Woodham3, James Maher3
1Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States.
Insights
Cardiometabolic disorders like obesity and hypertension during pregnancy increase risks for mothers and infants. This review explores the evolving understanding of how these conditions lead to preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and discusses new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Cardiometabolic disorders (obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension) are rising globally.
- These conditions significantly risk maternal and offspring health during pregnancy.
- Hypertensive disorders (preeclampsia) and gestational diabetes are increasing due to cardiometabolic disease prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging pathophysiological mechanisms linking cardiometabolic risk to preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
- To discuss recent preclinical and clinical updates on the pathogenesis and treatment of these pregnancy complications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of emerging pathophysiological mechanisms.
- Synthesis of recent preclinical and clinical research updates.
Main Results:
- Mechanisms connecting obesity, diabetes, and comorbidities to preeclampsia/gestational diabetes are complex and evolving.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are being investigated to mitigate adverse outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the interplay between cardiometabolic health and pregnancy complications is crucial.
- Continued research into pathogenesis and novel therapeutics is essential for improving maternal and infant outcomes.
Abstract:
Cardiometabolic disorders, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension, prior to and within pregnancy are increasing in prevalence worldwide. Pregnancy-associated cardiometabolic disease poses a great risk to the short- and long-term well-being of the mother and offspring. Hypertensive pregnancy, notably preeclampsia, as well as gestational diabetes are the major diseases of pregnancy growing in prevalence as a result of growing cardiometabolic disease prevalence. The mechanisms whereby obesity, diabetes, and other comorbidities lead to preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are incompletely understood and continually evolving in the literature. In addition, novel therapeutic avenues are currently being explored in these patients to offset cardiometabolic-induced adverse pregnancy outcomes in preeclamptic and gestational diabetes pregnancies. In this review, we discuss the emerging pathophysiological mechanisms of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes in the context of cardiometabolic risk as well as the most recent preclinical and clinical updates in the pathogenesis and treatment of these conditions.
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