Kinetics of glucose metabolism in mothers with intrauterine growth retardation

Abstract

Data on oral and I.V. glucose tolerance tests in normal pregnant women and pregnancy induced hypertensives (PIH) were subjected to kinetic analysis to obtain plasma zero concentration (CPO), area under the curve (AUC), half life (t 1/2) and metabolic clearance rates (MCR). Since no differences were observed either in the glucose tolerance (both oral and I.V.) or in the various kinetic parameters between the normal women and PIH's, the analysis of data was done in relation to the birth weight of the infant in both these groups. Accordingly, women were divided into 4 groups. 1. Normotensive normal birth weight (NBW), 2. normotensive IUGR, 3. hypertensive NBW, and 4. hypertensive IUGR. It was observed that fasting blood glucose was low in IUGR in N, NBW as well as PIHNBWs. AUC was low with shorter t 1/2 and faster MCR in IUGR as compared to normals both in normotensives and PIHs indicating a rapid elimination of glucose from the plasma with both oral and intravenous GTTs. A mechanism by the maternal tissue to take up higher amount of glucose for maintaining a high concentration gradient across the placenta in IUGR is being suggested.