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Lipids in Gestational Diabetes: Abnormalities and Significance

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Gestational Diabetes During and After Pregnancy

Abstract

Dyslipidemia in gestational diabetes (GDM) consists of an ∼50 mg/dL increase in triglyceride, an ∼4 mg/dL decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL), and generally lower low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by ∼30mg/dL, more small dense LDL, and greater susceptibility of LDL to oxidation. Predictors of increased birth weight are the postprandial hyperglycemia of GDM and elevated triglyceride. Predictors of diminished birth weight are lower HDL, lower apo-A-I, higher apo A-II and increased oxidative stress, typified in pre-eclampsia. Birth weight in an individual GDM pregnancy is likely a function of these competing trends. A therapeutic approach to the management of GDM is needed for the hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia, but also for the heightened oxidative stress which may be propagated by abnormalities of LDL and HDL function.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by NIH grant DK 035816, Clinical Nutrition Research Unit at the University of Washington.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northwest Lipid Research Clinic, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Elizabeth Chan

Authors
  1. Robert H. Knopp
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  2. Elizabeth Chan
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  3. Xiaodong Zhu
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  4. Pathmaja Paramsothy
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  5. Bartolome Bonet
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elizabeth Chan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Catherine Kim

  2. Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research Clinics Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA

    Assiamira Ferrara

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Knopp, R.H., Chan, E., Zhu, X., Paramsothy, P., Bonet, B. (2010). Lipids in Gestational Diabetes: Abnormalities and Significance. In: Kim, C., Ferrara, A. (eds) Gestational Diabetes During and After Pregnancy. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-120-0_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-120-0_11

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