Glucose, insulin, and the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 in the circulation of pregnant women in relation to their own body composition and to that of their infants

• Aim: Intrauterine factors influence infant size and body composition but the mechanisms involved are incompletely known. We studied relationships between the body composition of pregnant women and variables related to their glucose homeostasis, i.e. glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance), haemoglobin A1c and IGFBP-1 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1), in their circulation and related these variables to the body composition of their infants.Methods: Body composition of 209 women in gestational week 32 and of their healthy, singleton and full-term one-week-old infants was measured using air displacement plethysmography. Glucose homeostasis variables were assessed in gestational week 32.Results: Insulin/HOMA-IR were positively related to body mass index, fat mass index and fat mass (r2=0.32-0.36, P<0.001) of the women. Their glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR values were positively (P≤0.009) associated, while IGFBP-1was negatively (P=0.001) associated, with infant fat mass. Insulin and HOMA-IR were positively associated with fat mass of daughters (P<0.001), but not of sons (P≥0.65) (Sex-interaction: P≤ 0.042).Conclusion: Glucose homeostasis variables of pregnant women are related to their own body composition and to that of their infants. The results suggested that a previously identified relationship between fat mass of mothers and daughters is mediated by insulin resistance.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Veterinärmedicin -- Klinisk vetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Veterinary Science -- Clinical Science (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Body composition

infant

insulin resistance

mother

sex difference

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)