Limited Impact of Fetal Sex and Maternal Body Mass Index on Fetal and Maternal Insulin Resistance and Lipid Metabolism: Findings from the PEARs Study

Abstract

The intrauterine environment can have a significant impact on fetal and maternal well-being, both during pregnancy and in later life. We aimed to identify how fetal sex and maternal body mass index (BMI) influence insulin resistance and metabolic function during pregnancy with maternal BMI > 25 kg/m2. This secondary analysis assessed data from the PEARS-randomized controlled trial that recruited pregnant women with body mass indexes 25-39.9 kg/m2. Longitudinal measurements of maternal and fetal insulin resistance and metabolic function were recorded throughout pregnancy. Regression models tested the effects of fetal sex and maternal BMI on markers of metabolic function and insulin regulation..