Gana N, Huluta I, Gica N. Hypoglycaemia in screening oral glucose tolerance test in pregnancy with low birth weight fetus. World J Exp Med 2024; 14(3): 96720 [DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v14.i3.96720]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Nicolae Gica, Doctor, PhD, Chief Doctor, Director, Lecturer, Postdoc, Researcher, Science Editor, Senior Lecturer, Surgeon, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Dionisie Lupu, Bucharest 098909, Romania. gica.nicolae@umfcd.ro
Research Domain of This Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Article-Type of This Article
Letter to the Editor
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Exp Med. Sep 20, 2024; 14(3): 96720 Published online Sep 20, 2024. doi: 10.5493/wjem.v14.i3.96720
Hypoglycaemia in screening oral glucose tolerance test in pregnancy with low birth weight fetus
Nicoleta Gana, Iulia Huluta, Nicolae Gica
Nicoleta Gana, Iulia Huluta, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Filantropia Clinical Hospital Bucharest, Bucharest 099098, Romania
Iulia Huluta, Nicolae Gica, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 098909, Romania
Author contributions: Gana N, Huluta I writing and revision; Gica N concept and supervision.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: Https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Nicolae Gica, Doctor, PhD, Chief Doctor, Director, Lecturer, Postdoc, Researcher, Science Editor, Senior Lecturer, Surgeon, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Dionisie Lupu, Bucharest 098909, Romania. gica.nicolae@umfcd.ro
Received: May 13, 2024 Revised: June 30, 2024 Accepted: July 17, 2024 Published online: September 20, 2024 Processing time: 107 Days and 7.9 Hours
Abstract
Maternal hypoglycemia, a condition characterized by lower than normal blood glucose levels in pregnant women, has been increasingly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight (LBW) in neonates. LBW, defined as a birth weight of less than 2500 g, can result from various factors, including maternal nutrition, health status, and metabolic conditions like hypoglycemia. Maternal hypoglycemia may affect fetal growth by altering the supply of essential nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, leading to restricted fetal development and growth. This condition poses significant risks not only during pregnancy but also for the long-term health of the child, increasing the likelihood of developmental delays, health issues, and chronic conditions later in life. Research in this area has focused on understanding the mechanisms through which maternal hypoglycemia influences fetal development, with studies suggesting that alterations in placental blood flow and nutrient transport, as well as direct effects on fetal insulin levels and metabolism, may play a role. Given the potential impact of maternal hypoglycemia on neonatal health outcomes, early detection and management are crucial to minimize risks for LBW and its associated complications. Further investigations are needed to fully elucidate the complex interactions between maternal glucose levels and fetal growth, as well as to develop targeted interventions to support the health of both mother and child. Understanding these relationships is vital for improving prenatal care and outcomes for pregnancies complicated by hypoglycemia.
Core Tip: Maternal hypoglycemia's association with low birth weight is a complex and nuanced issue that has garnered attention in the medical community. Emerging studies suggest a correlation between maternal blood glucose levels and birth weights, highlighting that not only hyperglycemia, but also hypoglycemia could significantly impact neonatal outcomes.
