Changes in Serum Lipid Levels During Pregnancy in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic Subjects

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Alterations in maternal lipid metabolism could affect fetal programming and the susceptibility for atherosclerosis in the offspring; therefore, we studied differences in lipid profiles of pregnant women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 173 diabetic pregnancies were studied prior to conception (V0), at each trimester (V1–V3), and after delivery and were compared with 137 healthy women at V3. RESULTS During gestation, the increase in serum lipid concentrations was less pronounced in type 2 diabetic subjects. At V3, the lipid levels of type 1 diabetic women with normal glucose tolerance were similar but significantly higher then those of type 2 diabetic women. Elevated triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol at V3 were significant predictors for large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborns. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest smaller changes in serum lipid concentrations during pregnancy in type 2 diabetic mothers. Additionally, we found a positive association between maternal triglycerides and LGA infants independently of chronic glycemic control.