Fatty acid and glucose kinetics change during late pregnancy, and may be a reason for higher birth weight in obese women who have pregestational diabetes, according to a study involving 79 individuals.

Investigators compared maternal glucose and lipids in lean women without diabetes (n=25), obese women without diabetes (n=26), and obese women with pregestational type 2 diabetes (n=28). They also measured lipids during hyperinsulinemia in a subset (n=56). Among the results:

• Maternal glucose production was higher in obese women with pregestational diabetes than in those in the other 2 groups.

• Maternal insulin value was also higher in this group.

• Maternal glucose production during hyperinsulinemia was a strong predictor of infant birth weight.

Citation: Cade W, Tinius R, Reeds D, Patterson B, Cahill A. Maternal glucose and fatty acid kinetics and infant birth weight in obese women with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes. 2016;65(4):893-901. doi:10.2337/db15-1061.