ESPE Abstracts

Background: Obesity or excess weight gain in pregnancy period cause increased insulin secretion even if glucose screening test is normal. The growth promoting effect of insulin may release somatotropic hormones, such as IGF1,2 and its binding proteins are involved in the regulation of foetal growth.

Objective and hypotheses: In this study, we determined the changes of intrauterine growth factors (IGF1,2, and IGFBP3) in pregnants gained over weight during pregnancy period and evaluated its relation with birth weight.

Material and method: The patient group was consisted of pregnant women (n=75) attending the Obstetric outpatient clinic. Patients had gained over weight during pregnancy period compared with normal weight gain pregnants (n=46). Insulin and c-peptide measured by ICMA, and IGF1,2, and IGFBP3 were analysed by ELISA.

Results: Birth weight of newborns in the patient group (3.9 kg) were significantly high when compared with the control group (3.2 kg) (P<0.05). IGF2 and IGFBP3 levels were significantly high in patient group (maternal IGF2: 615 ng/ml, IGFBP3: 3395 ng/ml; cord IGF2: 476 ng/ml, IGFBP3: 1632 ng/ml) (P<0.05) when compared with controls. In the patient group maternal and cord IGF2 and HOMA-IR level were positively correlated with birth weight.

Conclusion: To become overweight or obese in pregnancy period may be responsible increased foetal IGF2 level and nutrient flux due to hyperinsulinaemia can lead to increased birth weight.