Metabolic substrates for fetal energy metabolism and growth.

This article reviews the basic aspects of fetal nutrition with emphasis on recent developments. Growth and energy requirements are first described, followed by a discussion about the contributions of main metabolic substrates for the fetus including amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. While the placenta is not the primary focus of this review, fetal and placental metabolism are intimately related. Current understanding of placental transport and metabolism is included where relevant. Lastly, a current review about the effects of nutrient deprivation on fetal growth and metabolism is presented.