Glycogen reserves in the subcutaneous adipose tissue and energy metabolism in newborns of diabetic mothers.

Abstract

Changes of glycogen content in the subcutaneous adipose tissue were followed in 43 infants of insulin-treated diabetic mothers, in 25 infants of gestational diabetic mothers and in 89 infants of healthy mothers. In infants of diabetic mothers and in infants of healthy mothers oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide output were also examined. Newborns of insulin-treated diabetic mothers and gestational diabetic mothers exhibit in comparison with control newborns higher values and diverse dynamics of glycogen content in the subcutaneous adipose tissue as an indicator of glycogen reserves in the first hours and days after delivery. The low oxygen consumption and increased RQ indicate preferential utilization of carbohydrates possibly together with increased lipogenesis in newborns of mothers with overt diabetes.