Accelerated starvation in pregnancy: Implications for dietary treatment of obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus

Boyd E Metzger*, Norbert Freinkel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

The biological significance of ketonemia of brief duration and moderate proportions during pregnancy remains uncertain. Thus, controversy persists about whether caloric restriction for obese women during pregnancy, particularly when the obesity is complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), constitutes appropriate therapy. We have demonstrated, in a rigorously controlled setting using a Clinical Research Center, that all of the features of‘accelerated starvation’ become manifest after 14 h and before 18 h of dietary deprivation. Women with GDM exhibit the same capacity for early ‘accelerated starvation’ as in normal pregnancy; thus, their insulin deficiency and insulin resistance do not appear to be sufficient to render them increasedly at risk for uncontrolled catabolism. Some cautious exploration of the use of hypocaloric diets as a therapeutic approach to the metabolic disturbances of GDM may be justified.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)78-85
Number of pages8
JournalNeonatology
Volume51
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1987

Keywords

  • Accelerated starvation
  • Gestational diabetes mellitus
  • Ketones
  • Metabolism
  • Pregnancy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Accelerated starvation in pregnancy: Implications for dietary treatment of obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this