Maternal diabetic control and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in infants of diabetic mothers

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been well documented in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). If this asymmetric septal enlargement is an anabolic result of fetal hyperinsulinemia triggered by maternal hyperglycemia during the third trimester, maternal glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) levels, an indicator of glycemic control, should then correlate positively at delivery with newborn ventricular septal thickness. In this study of 20 infants of well-controlled diabetic mothers, no relationship was observed between echocardiographic evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and maternal HbA1 levels. Seven babies (35%) exhibited exaggerated septal thickening, but none had cardiac-specific symptoms. Although 60 percent of the IDMs were large for gestational age and 45 percent demonstrated neonatal hypoglycemia, neither of these complications correlated with maternal HbA1. In this group of babies of well-controlled diabetic women, echocardiographic indicators of cardiomyopathy were common, but clinical evidence of cardiac embarrassment was not observed. Moreover, these data do not support third trimester maternal hyperglycemia as instrumental in the etiology of cardiomyopathy and other complications of IDMs.     

Placental IGF-I, IGFBP-1, zinc, and iron, and maternal and infant anthropometry at birth

Aim: To correlate placental protein levels of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)‐1, with previously determined levels of IGF‐I and IGF‐II mRNA expression, and the micronutrients zinc and iron, and maternal and newborn anthropometry. Methods: Placental samples were collected from rural field sites in Pakistan. Samples were divided into small and large for gestational age groups (SGA and LGA, respectively). IGFBP‐1 levels were assessed using Western immunoblotting. IGF‐I protein levels were assessed using ELISA techniques. IGF mRNA expression, zinc, and iron, were quantified as previously described and were used for comparative purposes only. Results: Thirty‐three subjects were included (SGA, n = 12; LGA n = 21). Higher levels of IGFBP‐1 were seen in the SGA group (p < 0.01). IGFBP‐1 correlated positively with maternal and infant triceps skin‐fold thickness in the LGA and SGA groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Significantly lower IGF‐I protein levels were seen in the SGA group. IGF‐I levels correlated significantly with maternal and newborn anthropometry. IGFBP‐1 correlated significantly with IGF‐II mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Placental protein levels of IGF‐I and IGFBP‐1 appear to be associated with maternal anthropometry. Maternal anthropometry may thus influence IGFBP‐1 and IGF‐I levels and may possibly be used for screening of pregnancies, with the potential for timely identification of these high‐risk pregnancies.     

不同胎龄儿脐血IGF-1、IGFBP-1及CP水平的变化

目的 了解胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-1(IGFBP-1)及C肽(CP)对不同胎龄新生儿出生体重的影响。方法 选取不同胎龄的新生儿共76例,按孕周分为≤32、-34、-36、-38、-40、-42周6组,均为适于胎龄儿。分娩时取脐静脉血3 ml,用EIASA法测定血清IGF-1、IGFBP-1及CP。结果 自32周至40周,血清IGF-1、CP逐渐增加,IGFBP-1逐渐下降,各组间差异有显著意义(除34与36周三者比较P>0.05外),但至42周时,IGF-1、CP开始下降,IGFBP-1上升,与40周相比,P<0.05。IGF-1、CP均与胎龄呈中度正相关,而IGFBP-1与胎龄呈高度负相关。结论IGF-1、CP能促进孕晚期胎儿宫内生长,而IGFBP-1则对胎儿生长起抑制作用。因此,营养物质-胰岛素-胰岛素样生长因子系统代谢轴是孕后期调节胎儿生长的重要系统。     

儿童I型糖尿病青春发育前及青春期血清IGF-I和IGFBP-3水平监测

目的：研究儿童Ⅰ型糖尿病青春发育前及青春期血清胰岛素样生长因子I(IGF-I),胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白3(IGFBP-3)水平变化,探讨生长激素 胰岛素样生长因子I(GH-IGF-I)轴与血糖控制的关系。方法：分别采用ELISA和免疫放射法测定63例Ⅰ型糖尿病患儿和47例正常对照血清IGF-I,IGFBP-3水平,用胶乳凝集法测定Ⅰ型糖尿病患儿的糖化血红蛋白(HbAIC)。结果：①青春发育前糖尿病患儿血IGF-I为(75.4±26.6) ng/ml,IGFBP-3为(2 756.1±763.8) ng/ml,与对照组［(103.9±46.5) ng/ml,(2 717.1±480.2 ng/ml)相比无统计学差异(P>0.05);但青春期糖尿病患儿血IGF-I和IGFBP-3［(178.2±65.9) ng/ml,(2 956.0±847.6) ng/ml］均低于对照组［(229.6±54.5) ng/ml,(3 393.2±748.9) ng/ml］］P<0.05。②新发病的I型糖尿病患儿胰岛素治疗后血IGF-I为(143.0±67.5) ng/ml,IGFBP-3为(2 740.0±449.8) ng/ml,较治疗前［(54.8±44.3) ng/ml, (2 233.8±336.2) ng/ml］明显升高(P<0.05)。③糖尿病组HbA IC与血IGF-I,IGFBP-3之间存在负相关关系(r=-0.32,-0.29,P<0.01或0.05)。④糖尿病组青春期HbAIC为(9.0±1.8)%,每日胰岛素用量为(0.86±0.30)U/kg,均高于青春期前［(7.8±1.8) %,(0.64±0.38) U/kg］(P<0.05)。结论：儿童Ⅰ型糖尿病血IGF-I,IGFBP-3水平较正常儿降低,尤其青春期患儿比正常同龄儿降低的程度更为显著,提示此类患者青春期存在GH IGF-I轴的严重紊乱,可能是导致这一时期血糖控制不良的重要原因。     

Cardiac troponin I levels and its relation to echocardiographic findings in infants of diabetic mothers

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Cardiomyopathy is noted in up to 40% of infants of diabetic mothers, and the exact mechanisms responsible for it are unknown. The aim of this study was to compare between infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) and infants of non- diabetic mothers (INDM) as regards cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels (as a marker of cardiac dysfunction) and to examine the relationship between this marker and neonatal echocardiographic changes (cardiac structure and function). METHODS: A prospective, comparative study included eighty full term neonates during the first three days of life, during the period from April 2008 to June 2011. They were divided into 2 groups, group I: included 40 infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs)and group II: included 40 infants of non diabetic healthy mothers as a control group. RESULTS: 37.5% of the IDMs were large for gestational age and demonstrated a significantly lower blood glucose level than the control group (34.6 +/- 11.3mg/dl Vs 77.2 +/- 19.8 mg/dl respectively) , respiratory distress and cyanosis were the presenting signs in 67.5% of IDMs. Cardiac TnI on the second day of life increased significantly in infants of diabetic mothers in comparison to INDM (p < 0.006) . IDMs had a significant increase in left atrial thickness ( 11.5 +/- 1.8mm in IDM Vs 10.5 +/- 0.9mm in INDM P < 0.002*) and a significant increase in septal thickness (5.0 +/- 1.2mm in IDM Vs 4.0 +/- 0.5mm in INDM P < 0.001*). CTnI correlated positively with interventricular septum thickness (P-value = 0.002*). Cardiac TnI was significantly increased in IDMs with respiratory distress (P -value < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a highly significant positive correlation between cTnI level on the second day of life and the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVED) and interventricular septum diameter (IVSD). Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a useful biochemical marker for monitoring myocardial injury in infants of diabetic mothers. An elevated cTnI concentration in infants of diabetic mothers with respiratory distress was a good predictor for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and/or left ventricular dysfunction.     

Lowered serum Ca, blood ionized Ca, and unresponsive serum parathyroid hormone with oral glucose ingestion in infants of diabetic mothers

Oral glucose ingestion may lower serum Ca in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). Six metabolically stable IDMs were studied following ingestion of 1.7 +/- 0.1 g/kg (mean +/- SE) of glucose over 20 min and serum Ca, Mg, P, blood iCa, serum PTH, and CT were measured at 0, 1/2, 1, and 2 h. Data obtained in IDMs were compared with previously reported findings in 10 normal neonates. In IDMs as in normal neonates, serum Ca, Mg, P declined significantly after oral glucose ingestion. Blood Ca2+ was significantly lower at +1/2 h in IDMs versus normal neonates, and by analysis of covariance, trends in blood Ca2+ were significantly different in IDMs versus normal neonates, (p less than 0.05). Serum PTH concentrations were unaltered in IDMs versus a significant rise in serum PTH noted in normal neonates. The difference between the two groups was significant statistically (p less than 0.05). Baseline serum CT was elevated in both groups and did not change. Thus, in IDMs responses to oral glucose ingestion differs from that seen in normal neonates as follows: blood Ca2+ is lowered in IDMs versus normal neonates, and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) does not respond to a decline in blood Ca2+ in IDMs, whereas in normal neonates serum PTH rises and blood Ca2+ is maintained. We speculate that relative parathyroid gland unresponsiveness occurs in IDMs, which may result in lowered blood Ca2+ after oral glucose ingestion in these infants.     

Troponin T and NT ProBNP Levels in Gestational,Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic Mothers and Macrosomic Infants

This study compares NT proBNP and troponin T levels in umbilical cord arterial blood and postnatal echocardiographic findings for infants of gestational and pregestational diabetic mothers and macrosomic infants. Twenty-seven infants of pregestational diabetic mothers, 61 infants of gestational diabetic mothers and 37 macrosomic infants of nondiabetic mothers were prospectively enrolled in this study along with a control group of 58 healthy infants of mothers without any pregestational or gestational disorders as the control group. All enrollees were born after 34 weeks of gestation. For this study, umbilical cord blood was drawn during delivery to determine NT proBNP and troponin T levels. Echocardiography was performed 24–72 h after the delivery. Umbilical cord troponin T and NT proBNP levels were found to be higher in the diabetic and macrosomic groups than in the control group (all of them p < 0.001). NT proBNP levels were positively correlated with interventricular septum thickness in the pregestational and gestational infants of diabetic mothers groups (r = 0.564 and r = 0.560, respectively, p < 0.01). Both pregestational and gestational diabetic mothers were divided into two groups according to HbA1c levels in the third trimester as good (<6.1 %) and suboptimal (>6.1 %) metabolic control. In the good and suboptimal metabolic control diabetic groups, NT proBNP levels were also positively correlated with interventricular septum thickness (r = 0.536 and r = 0.576, respectively, p < 0.01). In the suboptimal metabolic control diabetic group, NT proBNP was only found to be positively correlated with the left ventricular mass index (r = 0.586, p < 0.01). While there was no correlation in the myocardial performance index between infants of diabetic mothers and the control group, the myocardial performance index of macrosomic infants was lower than that of the control group (p = 0.017). Cardiac biomarkers (NT proBNP and troponin T) were elevated in infants of diabetic mothers and macrosomic infants. While there was a positive correlation between NT proBNP levels and cardiac structure in infants of pregestational and gestational diabetic mothers, there was no relationship between NT proBNP levels and cardiac function.     

Insulin and Leptin Levels in Appropriate-for-Gestational-Age Infants of Diabetic Mother

Objective

Intensified management of gestational diabetes mellitus can normalize birth weight. However, it is still unknown whether intrauterine exposure to maternal diabetes is a risk factor for changing hormone levels involved in the development of insulin resistance in these infants. We compared insulin and leptin levels in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants of diabetic and non diabetic mothers.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study in the department of Neonatology of the Hospital of Gynecology-Pediatrics, in Leon, Mexico. We evaluated 182 full term AGA newborns (86 infants of diabetic and 96 of non-diabetic mothers). A venous blood sample was taken from cord blood immediately after the separation of the placenta and glucose, insulin and leptin levels were measured. In all diabetic mothers HbA1c was also evaluated immediately post-partum.

Findings

Leptin, insulin and insulin resistance index were significantly higher in infants of diabetic mothers. Leptin levels were positive correlated with insulin, parents‘ body mass index and age in the entire group. In infants of diabetic mothers only insulin levels showed a significantly correlation, whereas in those of non-diabetic mothers only mothers‘ age was significantly correlated with leptin levels.

Conclusion

AGA infants of diabetic mothers showed higher leptin, insulin levels and insulin resistance index than those of non-diabetic mothers.     

The influence of physical activity on ghrelin and IGF‐1/IGFBP‐3 levels in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Huber J, Fröhlich‐Reiterer EE, Sudi K, Suppan E, Weinhandl G, Jasser‐Nitsche H, Aigner R, Borkenstein MH. The influence of physical activity on ghrelin and IGF‐1/IGFBP‐3 levels in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the influence of regular physical activity on ghrelin and IGF‐1/IGFBP‐3 levels during a diabetes camp. Methods: Twenty‐eight children and adolescents (14 boys; mean age 12.1 yr) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM, mean duration of diabetes 4.8 yr) attending a 2‐wk diabetes camp that features increased regular physical activities have been studied. Serum levels of ghrelin (total and acylated), growth hormone (GH), insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), insulin‐like growth factor‐bindng protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) and insulin were measured in fasting state on day 1 and day 14. Improvement of metabolic control was documented by haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Glucose levels and insulin doses were determined daily. Results: Mean insulin dosage decreased from 0.87 to 0.78 U/kg/d, mean HbA1c levels decreased from 8.6 to 8.3%, but the changes were not statistical. There was a significant decline in total ghrelin. IGFBP‐3 and IGF‐1 decreased also significantly. Total basal ghrelin was inversely related to the change in IGFBP‐3. Conclusions: We hypothesize an association between ghrelin and metabolic control in T1DM. Higher ghrelin levels might be associated with poor metabolic control. The dynamic of IGFBP‐3 levels appears to be under the influence of basal ghrelin concentrations in T1DM.     

Urinary cyclic AMP in infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit.

The urinary excretion of cyclic AMP was studied during the first 3 days of life in 46 randomly selected infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. The data were compared with those of normal newborn infants. Urinary cyclic AMP concentrations were significantly correlated with gestational age (all patients), and with birth weight (all patients except infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs)). The urinary cyclic AMP/creatine ratio increased from day 1 to day 3 in normal newborns and in IDMs, and tended to increase also in small-for-gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), and sick, term infants, although the changes in the latter groups were not statistically significant. Four infants studied with parallel determinations showed increased cyclic AMP/creatinine ratio from day 1 to day 3 both in plasma and urine. All urinary cyclic AMP/creatine ratios were lower than the corresponding ratios found in plasma. In LBW infants, there was an inverse relationship between urinary cyclic AMP and serum calcium. In IDMs a positive correlation was observed between urinary cyclic AMP and blood glucose concentration. In conclusion, the excretion of cyclic AMP in sick newborn infants is influenced by the following factors: gestational age, postnatal age, birth weight, and derangements of serum calcium and blood glucose concentrations.     

URINARY CYCLIC AMP IN INFANTS ADMITTED TO A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

ABSTRACT. The urinary excretion of cyclic AMP was studied during the first 3 days of life in 46 randomly selected infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. The data were compared with those of normal newborn infants. Urinary cyclic AMP concentrations were significantly correlated with gestational age (all patients), and with birth weight (all patients except infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs)). The urinary cyclic AMP/creatinine ratio increased from day 1 to day 3 in normal newborns and in IDMs, and tended to increase also in small-for-gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), and sick, term infants, although the changes in the latter groups were not statistically significant. Four infants studied with parallel determinations showed increased cyclic AMP/creatinine ratio from day 1 to day 3 both in plasma and urine. All urinary cyclic AMP/creatinine ratios were lower than the corresponding ratios found in plasma. In LBW infants, there was an inverse relationship between urinary cyclic AMP and serum calcium. In IDMs a positive correlation was observed between urinary cyclic AMP and blood glucose concentration. In conclusion, the excretion of cyclic AMP in sick newborn infants is influenced by the following factors: gestational age, postnatal age, birth weight, and derangements of serum calcium and blood glucose concentrations.     

新生儿血清瘦素、生长激素、胰岛素样生长因子-1、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3水平与宫内发育的关系

目的 探讨瘦素(leptin)、生长激素(GH)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3(IGFBP-3)在不同宫内发育状况胎儿中的变化,及对胎儿生长发育调控的作用.方法 2004年1月-2006年6月出生早产小于胎龄儿(A组)30例,早产适于胎龄儿(B组)36例,足月小于胎龄儿(C组)32例,足月适于胎龄儿(D组)37例.生后24 h内抽取患儿静脉血,用放射免疫法(RIA)检测其血清leptin、GH、IGF-1、IGFBP-3水平,组间比较采用及多元回归相关分析.结果 各组新生儿血清leptin、GH、IGF-1、IGFBP-3水平均存在明显差异(Pa<0.05,0.01),各指标基本呈C、A、B、D组次序由低到高,但A组IGF-1与C组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);在A、B和C组,出生体质量与leptin、IGF-1、IGFBP-3呈正相关(Pa<0.01),而D组出生体质量与IGF-1呈正相关(P<0.01),与其他激素无相关性.结论 leptin、IGF-1、IGFBP-3参与宫内发育迟缓儿和早产儿宫内生长发育的调控.IGF-1在早产适于胎龄儿的宫内生长发育中也起调控作用,而leptin、GH、IGFBP-3均不是足月适于胎龄儿生长发育的主要调节因素.     

Serum levels of IGF1 are a useful predictor of retinopathy of prematurity

Objective: To ascertain whether insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and is a useful predictor of the disease. Although its aetiopathogenesis is multifactorial, development of the disease appears to be related to a deficiency in IGF1, a hormone that acts together with vascular endothelial growth factor in the normal angiogenesis in the retina. Design: Prospective study for a 30‐month period. Participants: A total of 74 premature newborn babies, of less than 1500 g and/or 32 weeks’ gestational age or less. Testing: To determine the development and severity of ROP. Main outcome measures: Serum levels of IGF1 were measured once a week from birth until 40 weeks corrected gestational age in each subject. Results: Of our subjects, 32.4% developed some form of ROP, and all those ROP patients had the following characteristics at birth (median ± standard deviation scores): low weight (1098 ± 188 vs. 1393 ± 285 g), short length (36.74 ± 1.77 vs. 38.89 ± 3.08 cm), small cranial perimeter (26.03 ± 1.74 vs. 27.93 ± 1.81 cm) and young gestational age (29.7 ± 1.78 vs. 31.3 ± 1.79 weeks) (p < 0.05). Other factors previously associated with ROP that were also observed with statistically significant frequency in our ROP patients were bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intracranial haemorrhage, the need for erythrocyte transfusion or treatment with erythropoietin and sepsis (all p < 0.05). Levels of IGF1 at the 3rd week post‐partum, independent of gestational age at birth, were clearly lower in the group who developed ROP (29.13 vs. 43.16 ng/mL, p < 0.05). A value of 30 ng/mL of IGF1 in the third week post‐partum was found to have a 90% sensitivity in the diagnosis of ROP. A rapid rise in IGF1 levels between the 3rd and 5th weeks appeared to be related to the development of a higher stage of ROP. Conclusion: Determination of IGF1 serum levels in the 3rd week post‐partum, independent of gestational age at birth, provides a sufficient and reliable prognostic tool and allows the identification of a group of patients at high risk of developing the disease.     

脐血IGF-1及IGFBP-3与胎儿生长发育的关系研究

目的探讨胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF—1）及胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-2（IGFBP-3）与胎儿宫内生长发育的关系。方法将新生儿根据出生体重与胎龄的关系分为大于胎龄儿（IAG）、适于胎龄儿（AGA）、小于胎龄儿（SGA）三组,分别测定三组新生儿出生时身长、体重及胎盘重量,同时取脐血采用EUSA法测定IGF-1及IGFBP-3水平。结果①三组新生儿出生时身长、体重及胎盘重量3个指标比较差异均有统计学意义（P均〈0．05）。②脐血IGF-1及IGFBP-3水平在SGA、AGA、LGA三组间比较,LGA组〉AGA组〉SGA组,各组间比较差异均有统计学意义（P均〈0.05）。③胎儿发育的重要指标出生体重、身长及胎盘重量与IGF-1及IGFBP-3水平均呈正相关。结论IGF-1及IGFBP-3与胎儿生长发育密切相关,对胎儿的生长发育起重要的调节作用。     

Normal auditory brain stem evoked responses in infants of diabetic mothers

Auditory brain stem responses potentials were recorded from 71 newborns within the first 2 weeks after birth; conceptional age ranged from 37 to 41 weeks. Thirty-nine newborns were infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) (17 White A, 22 White B-D) and 32 healthy term newborns served as control group. IDMs with additional high risk for cochlear or brain stem integrity were excluded. Birthweight for gestational age was significantly higher for IDMs. No differences in auditory brain stem responses wave latencies or amplitudes were observed between healthy infants of the control group and IDMs.     

糖尿病母亲婴儿的神经发育结局

随着孕前糖尿病及妊娠糖尿病发生率的增高，糖尿病母亲婴儿（infants of diabetic mothers，IDMs）也呈逐年增多的趋势，IDMs易发生不良围生期结局，并可能对IDMs神经发育造成负面影响，但目前关于IDMs神经发育结局的研究还相对较少。该文查阅相关文献，从感知觉、运动、语言、智力发育、神经精神疾病、神经学检查和药物影响等方面，对IDMs的神经发育结局予以总结，为临床工作提供参考。 引用格式:     

Neonatal Jaundice in Infants of Diabetic Mothers

Jährig, D., Jährig, K., Stiete, S., Beyersdorff, E., Poser, H. and Hopp, H. (Department of Paediatrics, the Data Centre of the Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, Greifswald, and the'Gerhard Katsch'Central Research Institute for Diabetes, Karlsburg, G.D.R.). Neonatal jaundice in infants of diabetic mothers. Acta Paediatr Scand Suppl 360: 101, 1989.
357 IDMs and 20 healthy newborns of non-diabetic mothers were examined at term for body measurements, red blood cell count, serum bilirubin, cord blood insulin and blood glucose during the first postnatal week. The stage of maternal diabetes did not influence the course of neonatal bilirubin levels, but the IDMs had prolonged and higher bilirubinaemia compared with the controls. Hyperbilirubinaemia was found to be most prominent in newborns with an increased birthweightllength ratio and was not simply related to macrosomia (LGA). These infants had significantly lower blood glucose concentrations immediately after birth, whereas cord blood insulin was found to be identical between the IDM sub-groups. Bilirubinaemia in heavy for length infants was slightly correlated to haematocrit. For the pathogenesis of hyperbilirubinaemia in IDMs induction of heme oxygenase (due to a lack of energy provision following a phosphory lation disorder) is discussed. Nutritional support (early feeding, glucose infusions) does not affect the course of bilirubinaemia.     

Serum lipid and lipoprotein composition in infants of diabetic mothers

Diabetes mellitus (DM) alters carbohydrate and lipid metabolism to a great extent. This study was planned to determine whether infants of insulin dependent and gestational diabetic mothers have abnormal lipid metabolism. Three groups of newborns were included in the study; group I consisted of 7 infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) with insulin dependent DM (Type 1 DM), group Il of 18 infants of gestational diabetic mothers and group III of 20 control neonates whose mothers had no history of DM. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) values in groups I and II were no different compared to those in group III (p>0.05). However, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were similar between groups I and II (p>0.05) but significantly higher in both infants of type I diabetic mothers and gestational diabetic mothers compared to control infants (p<0.05). Apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-1) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) levels, Apo A-I/Apo B and HDL-C/Apo A-I ratios were similar in between groups. However, Apo B/LDL-C ratio was significantly lower in groups I and II compared to control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, diabetes in pregnant women causes a tendency to LDL hypercholesterolemia in the offspring. These infants should be longitudinally followed up to assess whether this observation imposes an increased risk for atherosclerosis for advanced ages.     

Influence of the Maternal Plasma Glucose Concentration at Delivery on the Risk of Hypoglycaemia in Infants of Insulin-Dependent Diabetic Mothers

Plasma glucose concentrations at birth and at two hours of age were measured in 53 infants of insulin-dependent mothers (IDMs). The plasma glucose concentrations at delivery were measured in the mothers of 17 IDMs and in the remaining 36 mothers, glucose was estimated by interpolation from concentrations achieved just before and after delivery. Clinical and laboratory data from the two groups were otherwise similar, so the groups were combined for further analyses. The maternal plasma glucose at delivery correlated positively with the glucose concentration of the IDMs at birth (Q=0.82, p <0.001) and negatively with the glucose concentration at two hours of age (Q= -0.46, p <0.001). Maternal plasma glucose concentration was higher in mothers delivered by caesarean section than in vaginally delivered mothers ( p <0.05). Eleven IDMs became hypoglycaemic at two hours of life (plasma glucose ≥1.7 mmol/1). These infants had higher cord plasma glucose concentrations at birth than those who remained normoglycaemic; the maternal glucose concentration was also higher. None of the IDMs became hypoglycaemic if the maternal glucose concentration at delivery was less than 7.1 mmol/l. In 28 IDMs the simultaneous plasma concentrations of non-antibodybound immunoreactive insulin (IRI) were recorded. Cord plasma IRI correlated with glucose and IRI at two hours of age (Q=-0.73, p <0.001 and Q=0.77, p <0.001, respectively). Cord plasma IRI was higher in IDMs who became hypoglycaemic than in the remaining infants. The results suggest that among the factors which may be responsible for neonatal hypoglycaemia in IDMs a major factor may be the maternal plasma glucose concentration at the time of delivery.     

Leptin and metabolic hormones in infants of diabetic mothers

AIMS: To investigate the effect of maternal diabetes on leptin in term newborns and to determine whether leptin correlates with insulin and its associated biochemical parameters in support of the hypothesis that a functional "adipoinsular axis" might exist at this stage of development. METHODS: A total of 116 term newborns were prospectively enrolled and categorised into three groups: 44 were infants of non-diabetic mothers (control group C); 41 were infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes on dietary treatment (group D); and 31 were infants born to mothers with gestational or pregestational diabetes on insulin treatment (group I). RESULTS: No significant difference in serum leptin was observed between the three groups; the results of the study population were therefore pooled and analysed. Serum leptin correlated significantly with serum insulin, insulin:glucose ratio, birth weight, body length, body mass index, placenta weight, and maternal HbA(1c). Female infants had significantly higher serum leptin than male infants. All parameters except placenta weight and body length remained significantly associated with serum leptin when multivariate stepwise regression analysis was applied. Subgroup analysis revealed a significant correlation between serum leptin and cortisol in group D. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in serum leptin between infants born to diabetic and non-diabetic mothers, though infants born to mothers requiring insulin treatment had the highest median serum leptin concentrations. The significant association between serum leptin and insulin or insulin:glucose ratio supports the hypothesis that a functional adipoinsular axis might exist in term newborns. Furthermore, the significant correlation between maternal HbA(1c) and circulating leptin of the studied infants suggests that the clinical control of maternal diabetes could affect the regulation of serum leptin in these infants.