title: Relation of glucose control in diabetic pregnancy to fetal cholesterol homeostasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the impact of maternal diabetic glucose control on fetal cholesterol homeostasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Singleton pregnancies of 150 women complicated by gestational (n = 90) and pre-gestational (n = 60) diabetes were evaluated. Those with insulin-requiring diabetes had fasting blood glucose levels determined daily during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy and weekly fasting glucose values were obtained in those with A1 (diet-controlled) gestational diabetes. Umbilical cord venous serum was collected at delivery and total cholesterol levels were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 150 women, 69 had A1 gestational diabetes and 81 were insulin-requiring. Fasting glucose levels were inversely correlated (p < 0.001) to gestational age, regardless of diabetes classification. Umbilical serum cholesterol levels were inversely related (p < 0.002) to gestational age and weight, but did not vary according to diabetic classification. Among term infants (n = 110), umbilical serum cholesterol levels were inversely related to maternal fasting glucose levels at 4 weeks (p = 0.006) and 2 weeks (p = 0.006) before delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal hyperglycemia is associated with decreased plasma fetal cholesterol levels in term infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Women's Reproductive Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Yvette
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Tamula M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: C Richard
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004035:Diet Therapy; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D002784:Cholesterol