Delayed gastric emptying as a factor in delayed postprandial glycaemic response in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether an alteration in gastric emptying contributes to an altered postprandial glycaemic response in normal pregnancy.


METHODS
A longitudinal study in normal pregnancy and postpartum.


METHODS
Teaching hospital in Sheffield.


METHODS
Primigravid women with uncomplicated pregnancies.


METHODS
Simultaneous meal tolerance and paracetamol absorption tests.


METHODS
1. Gastric emptying: maximum concentration (Cmax) and time to maximum concentration (Tmax) of paracetamol; 2. glycaemic response: Cmax, Tmax, and area under the curve of plasma glucose; 3. insulinaemic response: Cmax, Tmax, area under the curve of plasma insulin.


RESULTS
An increased, but not delayed, insulin response, and an increased initial glucose response to a test meal in the third trimester were not accompanied by any simultaneous delay in gastric emptying.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastric emptying does not seem to be a factor in the glycaemic response of pregnancy.
Stanley
K
K
University Department of Obstetrics, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Magides
A
A
Arnot
M
M
Bruce
C
C
Reilly
C
C
McFee
A
A
Fraser
R
R
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D000082:Acetaminophen