Maternal chronic stress correlates with serum levels of cortisol, glucose and C-peptide in the fetus, and maternal non chronic stress with fetal growth.

Introduction: During pregnancy, maternal stressors cause changes in both maternal and fetal HPA axes. We therefore investigated the impact of maternal non chronic and chronic stress on fetal glucose metabolism and growth, and serum levels of cortisol in the fetus.

Materials And Methods: Normal weight pregnant women (n = 192; mean ± SD 27.

Neonatal birth waist is positively predicted by second trimester maternal active ghrelin, a pro-appetite hormone, and negatively associated with third trimester maternal leptin, a pro-satiety hormone.

Introduction: In pregnancy physiological mechanisms activated by maternal appetite contribute to adequate energy intake for the mother and for the fetus. The role of maternal appetite-related peptides and their possible association with neonatal energy stores and glucose metabolism have not been investigated as yet. The aim was to investigate, during pregnancy, the association of fasting maternal appetite-related hormones levels [ghrelin (active), GLP1 (active), total PYY and leptin] with neonatal waist, percent total body fat and insulin levels at birth.

First trimester maternal BMI is a positive predictor of cord blood c-peptide levels while maternal visfatin levels is a negative predictor of birth weight.

Objective: The role of first trimester maternal body mass index (BMI) and adipocytokines in cord blood c-peptide and birth weight in pregnancy was investigated.

Design: Seventy non-diabetic pregnant Caucasian women were recruited. Anthropometry and measurements of fasting adipocytokines (visfatin, leptin, adiponectin), insulin and glucose were performed in each of the three trimesters.

The impact of insulin resistance on woman's health and potential treatment options.

Insulin resistance (IR) is causatively related to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, both of which increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events; in women in particular, severe IR affects the reproductive system causing subfertility and health problems to the mother and the fetus. To date lifestyle modification is the mainstay of treatment, whereas antiobesity drugs and bariatric surgery have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and many surrogate metabolic defects, real reduction in cardiovascular endpoints has yet to be proved. Increasing attention is being directed to the role of the central nervous system in the modulation of IR, as well as to the use of recombinant adipocytokines for IR management.