Pregnancy hypoglycaemia

The specific gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver of the foetus develop late in pregnancy, so that premature babies can develop hypoglycaemia soon after birth and provision of glucose is essential for their survival. 

The plasma ketone body level increases rapidly in starvation in pregnancy, which is important in preventing hypoglycaemia in the mother and thus maintaining a supply of glucose for the developing foetus (Chapter 19). 

Fig. 1 Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy is associated with fetal hyperinsullnaemia. In utero this leads to increased growth, while post-natally the persisting hyperinsullnaemia causes neonatal hypoglycaemia.

Rowe M, Gowda BA, Taylor D, Hannam S, Howard LM. Neonatal hypoglycaemia following maternal olanzapine therapy during pregnancy a case report. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2012 2(6) 265-8. 

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