Concentrations of fatty acids among macrosomic neonates delivered by healthy women and women with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the concentration and profile of fatty acids (FAs) among macrosomic neonates delivered by healthy pregnant women and pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

METHODS

A prospective study of women who delivered macrosomic neonates at a University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia, 2016-2018. Maternal, umbilical vein, and arterial blood samples were collected immediately on delivery. After lipid extraction, total FAs in maternal, umbilical vein, and arterial serum samples were assessed by gas chromatography. Data were compared between women with T1DM and healthy control women.

RESULTS

In total, 50 women were enrolled: 22 with T1DM and 28 control women. Neonates in the T1DM group had a higher ponderal index as compared with the control group (P=0.006). Umbilical vein insulin, insulin resistance, and leptin concentration were higher in the T1DM group than in the control group (all P<0.001). Umbilical vein serum concentrations of total saturated, monounsaturated, n-3 polyunsaturated, and n-6 polyunsaturated FAs were higher in the T1DM group (P=0.004, P<0.001, P=0.015, and P=0.014, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Macrosomic neonates delivered by women with T1DM had a higher Ponderal index, and higher concentrations of insulin, leptin, and FAs in the umbilical vein and artery as compared with control group newborns.