Nutritional perturbations in infants of diabetic mothers and intrauterine growth retardation.

The fetal nutritional milieu may have important regulatory influences on fetal growth and maturation. Fetuses of diabetics exposed to excessive glucose in late gestation show delayed maturation, whereas, fetuses subjected to nutrient deprivation resulting from decreased uterine blood flow exhibit restricted growth and accelerated maturation. Under conditions of nutrient deficiency, restricted growth and accelerated maturation may be important adaptations mediated through hormonal and growth factor signalling.