Glucose kinetics and pregnancy outcome in Indian women with low and normal body mass indices.
OBJECTIVE
Fetal energy demands are met from the oxidation of maternally supplied glucose and amino acids. During the fasted state, the glucose supply is thought to be met by gluconeogenesis. Underweight women with low body mass index (BMI) might be unable to adequately supply amino acids to satisfy the demands of gluconeogenesis.


METHODS
Glucose kinetics were measured during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy in 10 low-BMI and 10 normal-BMI pregnant women at the 12th hour of an overnight fast using a primed 6 h U-(13)C glucose infusion and was correlated to maternal dietary and anthropometric variables and birth weight.


RESULTS
Low-BMI mothers consumed more energy, carbohydrates and protein, had faster glucose production (R (a)) and oxidation rates in the first trimester. In the same trimester, dietary energy and carbohydrate correlated with glucose production, glycogenolysis and glucose oxidation in all women. Both groups had similar rates of gluconeogenesis in the first and second trimesters. Glucose R (a) in the second trimester was weakly correlated with the birth weight (r=0.4, P=0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal energy and carbohydrate intakes, not BMI, appear to influence glucose R (a) and oxidation in early and mid pregnancy.
Dwarkanath
P
P
St John's Research Institute, St John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Kurpad
A V
AV
Muthayya
S
S
Thomas
T
T
Mhaskar
A
A
Mhaskar
R
R
Thomas
A
A
Vaz
M
M
Jahoor
F
F
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001944:Breath Tests; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005943:Gluconeogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000378:metabolism; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000378:metabolism; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005947:Glucose