Maternal Lifestyle and Neonatal Hypoglycemia

In an observational study, we sought to determine whether markers of hyperinsulinemia or situations that increase maternal insulin requirements would increase the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia. Mothers were selected if they had grade III obesity, acanthosis nigricans (surrogates of chronic maternal hyperinsulinemia), any invasive bacterial infection or if they had used corticosteroid within seven days before delivery (surrogates of subacute insulin resistance), if they reported to have consumed a high-glycemic index diet within 24 hours before delivery or if they were physically inactive within 24 hours before delivery (conditions that could increase maternal insulin requirements close to delivery). Based on the finding that that the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia increased fivefold with inactivity (95% CI: 2-11, P \<0.001), 11-fold with high-carbohydrate intake (95% CI: 4-24, P \<0.001) and 329-fold with both risk factors (95% CI: 32-3362, P \<0.001), next we have evaluated how a protocol combining exercises and a balanced diet throughout pregnancy influences maternal and neonatal outcomes. One of the outcomes analyzed was neonatal hypoglycemia.