Second-Trimester Constituents of the Metabolic Syndrome and Pregnancy Outcome: An Observational Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women in later life. In the general population, metabolic syndrome (MetS) shows identical associations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between GDM, constituents of MetS and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Of 2041 pregnant women undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) between 22 and 30 weeks of gestation, data were collected to evaluate the constituents of MetS. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to determine the associations between MetS and pregnancy outcomes. Results: GDM and obesity did not affect the risk of fetal growth abnormalities (SGA/LGA), preterm birth or preeclampsia (PE). Hypertension significantly increased the risk of SGA (OR—1.59), PE (OR—3.14), and preterm birth <37 weeks (OR—2.17) and <34 weeks (OR—2.96) and reduced the occurrence of LGA (OR—0.46). Dyslipidemia increased the risk of PE (OR—2.25), while proteinuria increased the risk of PE (OR—12.64) and preterm birth (OR—4.72). Having ≥2 constituents increased the risk of PE and preterm birth. Conclusions: Constituents of metabolic syndrome, rather than treating impaired glucose handling, increased the risk of preeclampsia, altered fetal growth and preterm birth. Obesity was not related to adverse outcomes.

The Role of Helicobacter pylori and Metabolic Syndrome-Related Mast Cell Activation Pathologies and Their Potential Impact on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes

“…Specifically, MetS-related parameters, IR, dyslipidemia, and AH are contributors to systemic pathologies [18], including negative pregnancy and neonatal outcomes like heightened preeclampsia risk, altered fetal growth, and premature birth [20][21][22]. MAFLD, as the hepatic component of MetS, is associated with a high risk of adverse outcomes for both the mother and the fetus [23,24].…”

Longitudinal association between maternal cardiovascular health in pregnancy and child birth outcomes

“…The theory of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease suggests that poor intrauterine exposure during pregnancy may affect the birth outcome and have implications for long-term adult health 3 . Previous independent studies have consistently demonstrated a significant association between several cardiovascular risk factors during pregnancy, including obesity 4 , diabetes 5 , hypertension 6 , dyslipidemia 7 , sleep disorders 8 , and the higher risk of adverse birth outcomes (ABOs), such as macrosomia and large for gestational age (LGA) infant. However, during pregnancy, the combination of risk factors below the clinical diagnostic threshold is more common and may have a greater impact on maternal and infant health 9 .…”

The Interplay between Maternal Nutrition and Oxidative Stress

“…In this Special Issue, the possible impact of oxidative stress resulting from metabolic syndrome in pregnancy was also investigated by a study that involved a large cohort of pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes [5] in accordance with the HAPO study criteria [6]. These criteria aid in screening for the inappropriate handling of glucose in a standard glucose tolerance test.…”