Gestational diabetes, which only affects pregnant women, can cause metabolic diseases in the unborn child. However, regular physical activity and a change in diet can correct the situation.
-1605098382.jpg "Pregnancy: gestational diabetes puts newborns at risk")
- Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women during their second trimester, it is particularly favored by obesity.
- In the women followed who changed their diet and returned to sport, the risks of epigenetic changes were reduced.
Health problems that affect the mother during pregnancy can also affect the fetus. Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Southampton (UK) say it is best for women with gestational diabetes to review their diet and increase their physical activity, as this can affect newborn health. The results were published on November 5, 2020 in the journal Plos Medicine.
Diabetes in pregnant women
Gestational diabetes, also called gestational diabetes, is a disturbance of sugar tolerance that occurs in pregnant women during the second trimester. Certain factors, such as age, the overweight of the mother or the weight of the baby are all risk factors that can promote gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is temporary since it disappears after childbirth. Gestational diabetes is becoming more common around the world, due to the rise in obesity. Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth and create metabolic diseases in children.
The researchers hypothesize that high glucose levels in mothers with gestational diabetes may lead to DNA changes in infants. To confirm their claims, the researchers looked at the cases of 557 women who participated in the Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT) program between 2009 and 2014. This program aimed to improve the diet and physical activity of women obese pregnant women from the UK throughout their pregnancy.
Of these women, 159 had gestational diabetes. According to the researchers, high glucose levels in mothers can trigger epigenetic changes in the developing fetus, which can lead to health complications in the child.
A much healthier mother and fetus
By having them change their eating habits and increase, the research team found that these women gained less weight and regained a healthier metabolism. During this accompaniment, they were entitled to meals composed of foods with a low glyceric index and low fat, as well as a fitness program.
As far as the fetuses are concerned, this change in the mother’s lifestyle reduced the harmful changes in their DNA. Good news for Karen Lillycrop, professor of epigenetics at the University of Southampton: “These results suggest that improvements in diet and physical activity may impact the development of their children. These results are very encouraging and further studies are now needed to establish whether reducing these epigenetic changes through a healthier lifestyle during pregnancy is accompanied by improved child health later in life..”
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