Mehari Gebre-Medhin | Uppsala University (original) (raw)

Papers by Mehari Gebre-Medhin

Research paper thumbnail of Serum Albumin, Retinol-binding Protein, Thyroxin-binding Prealbumin and Acute Phase Reactants as Indicators of Undernutrition in Children with Undue Susceptibility to Acute Infections

Acta Paediatrica, 1988

ABSTRACT. This study was conducted in order to test the usefulness of measuring the concentration... more ABSTRACT. This study was conducted in order to test the usefulness of measuring the concentrations of selected serum proteins and acute phase reactants in assessing the nutritional status of children with undue susceptibility to acute infections. The concentrations of serum proteins were determined by an immunodiffusion technique in 28 children with undue susceptibility to infections and were compared with those in healthy children. The patients were grouped according to the clinical pattern, i.e. into children with mainly upper respiratory tract infections, with frequent middle ear infections and with lower respiratory tract infections. The total group and all three subgroups of patients had not only significantly lower (p < 0.001 or p < 0.01) mean serum levels of albumin and retinol-binding protein, but also of the acute phase reactants α2-macroglobulin and ceruloplasmin (p < 0.01) than the controls. No differences were observed between the patients and the controls in respect of the acute phase reactant orosomucoid. This study indicates that the concentrations of albumin and RBP along with selected acute phase reactants are rapidly influenced by altered nutritional status in children with undue susceptibility to acute infections.

Research paper thumbnail of Subclinical Trace Element Deficiency in Children with Undue Susceptibility to Infections

Acta Paediatrica, 1985

ABSTRACT. Serum concentrations of iron, copper, zinc and magnesium and also serum transferrin and... more ABSTRACT. Serum concentrations of iron, copper, zinc and magnesium and also serum transferrin and ceruloplasmin were investigated in 28 children aged 10 months to 10 years with undue susceptibility to infections. None of the children had any classical immune defect. Seven of them had had frequent upper respiratory tract infections, 16 had suffered from frequent infections of the middle ear and five from mainly lower respiratory tract infections. Thirteen healthy children aged 9 to 18 years residing in the same area served as controls. The children with undue susceptibility to infections had significantly lower mean serum iron (p< 0.05) and zinc (p< 0.001) levels than the healthy controls. The mean serum concentrations of copper and magnesium and of transferrin and ceruloplasmin did not differ between the patients and controls. Children with frequent middle ear infections seemed to account for most of the differences in the serum levels of iron and zinc. An inverse correlation was observed between duration of breast feeding and serum concentration of zinc, and between weight as well as height and serum magnesium. The reasons for these changes and the possible role of trace element deficiency as a factor predisposing to or perpetuating undue susceptibility to infections in children are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of The Human Milk Contents of Iron, Copper, Zinc, Calcium and Magnesium in a Population with a Habitually High Intake of Iron

Acta Paediatrica, 1984

The contents of iron, copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium were determined in human milk samples f... more The contents of iron, copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium were determined in human milk samples from 18 Ethiopian and 23 Swedish women. The Ethiopian women belonged to two groups with different socio-economic situations, a non-privileged and a privileged group. Both groups had an excessively high dietary iron intake–20 to 30 times that of the Swedish women–from the iron-rich traditional diet. In spite of this, the mean concentrations of iron in the milk, as well as of zinc and magnesium, were similar in all three groups. The mean copper concentration, however, was significantly lower in the Ethiopian than in the Swedish milk samples, the lowest mean value occurring in the privileged group. In contrast, a significantly higher mean calcium concentration was found in milk samples from the Ethiopian women than from the Swedish, the highest mean concentration being noted in the non-privileged group. The levels of minerals in breast milk showed no correlation to the birth weight of the infants or the length of gestation. Our data suggest that an excessively high dietary iron intake does not increase the breast milk content of iron in mothers with a good iron status. The reasons for the differences in the content of copper between the Ethiopian and Swedish milk samples are unclear. The higher calcium content in milk from the Ethiopian mothers, despite a low dietary calcium intake may be a result of an increased endogenous cholecalciferol synthesis due to greater exposure to sunshine.

Research paper thumbnail of Supplementing Lactating Women with Pureed Papaya and Grated Carrots Improved Vitamin A Status in a Placebo-Controlled Trial1

Research paper thumbnail of Five-year follow-up of a food-based vitamin A intervention in Tanzania

Public Health Nutrition, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Supplementing Lactating Women with Pureed Papaya and Grated Carrots Improved Vitamin A Status in a Placebo-Controlled Trial1

Research paper thumbnail of Five-year follow-up of a food-based vitamin A intervention in Tanzania

Public Health Nutrition, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Supplementing Lactating Women with Pureed Papaya and Grated Carrots Improved Vitamin A Status in a Placebo-Controlled Trial1

Research paper thumbnail of Five-year follow-up of a food-based vitamin A intervention in Tanzania

Public Health Nutrition, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Placental hormones and maternal glucose metabolism. A study of fetal growth in normal pregnancy

Bjog-an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1989

The interrelations between three placental hormones (oestradiol, progesterone and hPL), maternal ... more The interrelations between three placental hormones (oestradiol, progesterone and hPL), maternal glucose metabolism, maternal anthropometry and fetal growth were studied in a sample of 52 carefully selected pregnant women. A relation was found between infant birthweight and both fasting blood glucose and t½ of glucose of an intravenous glucose tolerance test at week 37 of pregnancy. The serum concentrations of the placental hormones were not significantly related to the glucose variables. The correlation between birthweight and the maternal levels of hPL in late pregnancy (r= 0·60) persisted when fasting blood glucose and tt½ of glucose were taken into account. Maternal fat mass was found to explain more of the Variation in basal insulin levels around week 37 than did the placental hormones.

Research paper thumbnail of Breastfeeding Patterns in Relation to Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Use

Research paper thumbnail of Exclusive breast-feeding is rarely practised in rural and urban Morogoro, Tanzania

Public Health Nutrition, 2001

Research paper thumbnail of Breastfeeding patterns in exclusively breastfed infants: a longitudinal prospective study in Uppsala, Sweden

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Smoking on Maternal Glucose Metabolism

Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation, 1993

Maternal smoking, studied in late pregnancy, was found to be associated with lower blood glucose ... more Maternal smoking, studied in late pregnancy, was found to be associated with lower blood glucose values, both during fasting and after an intravenous glucose load. As a correlation between blood glucose levels and infant birth weight has been reported, it is possible that smoking during pregnancy might reduce fetal growth through an effect on maternal glucose metabolism.

Research paper thumbnail of Elevated Serum Selenium in Diabetic Children

Acta Paediatrica, 1984

ABSTRACT. Twenty-seven diabetic children, 16 girls and 11 boys, 5–18 years of age, with a duratio... more ABSTRACT. Twenty-seven diabetic children, 16 girls and 11 boys, 5–18 years of age, with a duration of the disease ranging from 2–15 years, comprised the study group. Thirteen children with a similar age and sex distribution, living in the same area served as healthy controls. All 40 children had a normal growth pattern. The mean serum selenium concentration in the diabetic children, determined by neutron activation analysis, was 7.4 ± 0.8 μg/100 ml (mean ± SD) and in the healthy controls 6.5 ± 0.8 μg/100 ml. The difference between the two groups was statistically highly significant (p < 0.01). Boys and girls in both groups had nearly identical mean serum selenium levels and no correlation was observed between the selenium concentrations and either the age, weight or height of the children or the indicators of diabetic control. The selenium status in diabetic children has not been reported previously. The possibility of elevated serum selenium in diabetic children in response to altered lipid metabolism is discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Relative effect of parental birth weight on infant birth weight at term

Clinical Genetics, 2008

The relations between some hereditary and environmental factors and the variation in infant birth... more The relations between some hereditary and environmental factors and the variation in infant birth weight were estimated by multiple linear regression analyses on a sample of 276 Scandinavian single term pregnancies.Gestational age explained 10.9%, fetal factors (maternal and paternal birth weights and fetal sex) 7.9%, maternal factors (parity, pre-pregnancy weight and height) 5.5% and external factors (adjusted weight gain and smoking) 5.8% of the variation in infant birth weight.It is concluded that maternal and paternal birth weights are rather poor predictors of infant birth weight. Together they explain only 5.6% of the variation in infant birth weight at term.

Research paper thumbnail of Energy intake and physical activity during pregnancy in relation to maternal fat accretion and infant birthweight

Bjog-an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1987

Summary. During the second pregnancy of 56 Swedish women resulting in a term birth, energy intake... more Summary. During the second pregnancy of 56 Swedish women resulting in a term birth, energy intake and physical activity were measured for 3 days at weeks 17 and 33. The values were related to maternal lean body mass, pregnancy weight gain, maternal fat accretion and infant birth-weight by multiple linear regression analyses. A significant regression coefficient was found for energy intake at week 17 on maternal fat accretion. Energy intake was not significantly correlated with infant birthweight, not even when physical activity and maternal lean body mass were taken into account. Thus in a well-nourished Swedish population, energy intake is positively related to maternal fat accretion but not to the birthweight of term infants.

Research paper thumbnail of Reduced Serum Proteins in Diabetic Children on a Twice-Daily Insulin Schedule

Acta Paediatrica, 1985

ABSTRACT. The concentrations of selected proteins of transport and nutrition were investigated in... more ABSTRACT. The concentrations of selected proteins of transport and nutrition were investigated in 27 diabetic children and 13 healthy controls by an immunodiffusion technique. The diabetic children had significantly lower mean pre-albumin (p<0.001), albumin (p<0.01) and orosomucoid levels (p<0.05) than the healthy controls. No correlation was observed between age or sex and the blood concentrations of the specific proteins analyzed in this series. Haptoglobin and hemopexin showed positive correlations with serum triglycerides (both p<0.01) and slight positive correlations with some of the variables of carbohydrate control. The reduced levels of prealbumin and albumin were not correlated to diabetic control as measured by HbA1, fasting plasma glucose or urinary glucose excretion. The non-physiological distribution site and the abnormal temporal pattern of insulin offered to diabetic children might be the reason for the protein abnormalities found in this study. This is seemingly the first time reduced serum levels of proteins have been reported in diabetic children.

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary Intake in Swedish Diabetic Children

Acta Paediatrica, 1985

ABSTRACT. The energy and nutrient intakes by 14 children with type I diabetes and 13 healthy peer... more ABSTRACT. The energy and nutrient intakes by 14 children with type I diabetes and 13 healthy peers were investigated by the 24–h recall method and the results were compared with current recommendations for the general population and with the guidelines for the dietary management of diabetes mellitus. The diabetic children showed not only good compliance with the recommendations but also a better intake in practically all respects than their healthy counterparts. The total energy intake by the diabetic children was in good agreement with the recommendations, while that of the controls was slightly lower. The protein energy per cent in the diet of the diabetic children was 18%, compared with 14% in the controls. Forty percent of the energy in the diet of the diabetic children was derived from fats, 36% in the controls. With the exception of carbohydrates, ascorbic acid and iron, the diet of the diabetic children had a higher nutrient density than that of the control children and the reverse was true for carbohydrates only. Howewr, because of the generally higher energy intake displayed by the diabetic children, even the intake of these nutrients was at least as good in the diabetic children as in the controls. Eighty-six percent of the diabetic children but only 46% of the control children stated that the day for which intake data were given was a representative day. Key words: Dietary intake, recall, diabetes mellitus, insulin dependent, Sweden.

Research paper thumbnail of Placental hormones and maternal glucose metabolism. A study of fetal growth in normal pregnancy

Bjog-an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1989

The interrelations between three placental hormones (oestradiol, progesterone and hPL), maternal ... more The interrelations between three placental hormones (oestradiol, progesterone and hPL), maternal glucose metabolism, maternal anthropometry and fetal growth were studied in a sample of 52 carefully selected pregnant women. A relation was found between infant birthweight and both fasting blood glucose and t½ of glucose of an intravenous glucose tolerance test at week 37 of pregnancy. The serum concentrations of the placental hormones were not significantly related to the glucose variables. The correlation between birthweight and the maternal levels of hPL in late pregnancy (r= 0·60) persisted when fasting blood glucose and tt½ of glucose were taken into account. Maternal fat mass was found to explain more of the Variation in basal insulin levels around week 37 than did the placental hormones.

Research paper thumbnail of Serum Albumin, Retinol-binding Protein, Thyroxin-binding Prealbumin and Acute Phase Reactants as Indicators of Undernutrition in Children with Undue Susceptibility to Acute Infections

Acta Paediatrica, 1988

ABSTRACT. This study was conducted in order to test the usefulness of measuring the concentration... more ABSTRACT. This study was conducted in order to test the usefulness of measuring the concentrations of selected serum proteins and acute phase reactants in assessing the nutritional status of children with undue susceptibility to acute infections. The concentrations of serum proteins were determined by an immunodiffusion technique in 28 children with undue susceptibility to infections and were compared with those in healthy children. The patients were grouped according to the clinical pattern, i.e. into children with mainly upper respiratory tract infections, with frequent middle ear infections and with lower respiratory tract infections. The total group and all three subgroups of patients had not only significantly lower (p < 0.001 or p < 0.01) mean serum levels of albumin and retinol-binding protein, but also of the acute phase reactants α2-macroglobulin and ceruloplasmin (p < 0.01) than the controls. No differences were observed between the patients and the controls in respect of the acute phase reactant orosomucoid. This study indicates that the concentrations of albumin and RBP along with selected acute phase reactants are rapidly influenced by altered nutritional status in children with undue susceptibility to acute infections.

Research paper thumbnail of Subclinical Trace Element Deficiency in Children with Undue Susceptibility to Infections

Acta Paediatrica, 1985

ABSTRACT. Serum concentrations of iron, copper, zinc and magnesium and also serum transferrin and... more ABSTRACT. Serum concentrations of iron, copper, zinc and magnesium and also serum transferrin and ceruloplasmin were investigated in 28 children aged 10 months to 10 years with undue susceptibility to infections. None of the children had any classical immune defect. Seven of them had had frequent upper respiratory tract infections, 16 had suffered from frequent infections of the middle ear and five from mainly lower respiratory tract infections. Thirteen healthy children aged 9 to 18 years residing in the same area served as controls. The children with undue susceptibility to infections had significantly lower mean serum iron (p< 0.05) and zinc (p< 0.001) levels than the healthy controls. The mean serum concentrations of copper and magnesium and of transferrin and ceruloplasmin did not differ between the patients and controls. Children with frequent middle ear infections seemed to account for most of the differences in the serum levels of iron and zinc. An inverse correlation was observed between duration of breast feeding and serum concentration of zinc, and between weight as well as height and serum magnesium. The reasons for these changes and the possible role of trace element deficiency as a factor predisposing to or perpetuating undue susceptibility to infections in children are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of The Human Milk Contents of Iron, Copper, Zinc, Calcium and Magnesium in a Population with a Habitually High Intake of Iron

Acta Paediatrica, 1984

The contents of iron, copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium were determined in human milk samples f... more The contents of iron, copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium were determined in human milk samples from 18 Ethiopian and 23 Swedish women. The Ethiopian women belonged to two groups with different socio-economic situations, a non-privileged and a privileged group. Both groups had an excessively high dietary iron intake–20 to 30 times that of the Swedish women–from the iron-rich traditional diet. In spite of this, the mean concentrations of iron in the milk, as well as of zinc and magnesium, were similar in all three groups. The mean copper concentration, however, was significantly lower in the Ethiopian than in the Swedish milk samples, the lowest mean value occurring in the privileged group. In contrast, a significantly higher mean calcium concentration was found in milk samples from the Ethiopian women than from the Swedish, the highest mean concentration being noted in the non-privileged group. The levels of minerals in breast milk showed no correlation to the birth weight of the infants or the length of gestation. Our data suggest that an excessively high dietary iron intake does not increase the breast milk content of iron in mothers with a good iron status. The reasons for the differences in the content of copper between the Ethiopian and Swedish milk samples are unclear. The higher calcium content in milk from the Ethiopian mothers, despite a low dietary calcium intake may be a result of an increased endogenous cholecalciferol synthesis due to greater exposure to sunshine.

Research paper thumbnail of Supplementing Lactating Women with Pureed Papaya and Grated Carrots Improved Vitamin A Status in a Placebo-Controlled Trial1

Research paper thumbnail of Five-year follow-up of a food-based vitamin A intervention in Tanzania

Public Health Nutrition, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Supplementing Lactating Women with Pureed Papaya and Grated Carrots Improved Vitamin A Status in a Placebo-Controlled Trial1

Research paper thumbnail of Five-year follow-up of a food-based vitamin A intervention in Tanzania

Public Health Nutrition, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Supplementing Lactating Women with Pureed Papaya and Grated Carrots Improved Vitamin A Status in a Placebo-Controlled Trial1

Research paper thumbnail of Five-year follow-up of a food-based vitamin A intervention in Tanzania

Public Health Nutrition, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Placental hormones and maternal glucose metabolism. A study of fetal growth in normal pregnancy

Bjog-an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1989

The interrelations between three placental hormones (oestradiol, progesterone and hPL), maternal ... more The interrelations between three placental hormones (oestradiol, progesterone and hPL), maternal glucose metabolism, maternal anthropometry and fetal growth were studied in a sample of 52 carefully selected pregnant women. A relation was found between infant birthweight and both fasting blood glucose and t½ of glucose of an intravenous glucose tolerance test at week 37 of pregnancy. The serum concentrations of the placental hormones were not significantly related to the glucose variables. The correlation between birthweight and the maternal levels of hPL in late pregnancy (r= 0·60) persisted when fasting blood glucose and tt½ of glucose were taken into account. Maternal fat mass was found to explain more of the Variation in basal insulin levels around week 37 than did the placental hormones.

Research paper thumbnail of Breastfeeding Patterns in Relation to Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Use

Research paper thumbnail of Exclusive breast-feeding is rarely practised in rural and urban Morogoro, Tanzania

Public Health Nutrition, 2001

Research paper thumbnail of Breastfeeding patterns in exclusively breastfed infants: a longitudinal prospective study in Uppsala, Sweden

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Smoking on Maternal Glucose Metabolism

Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation, 1993

Maternal smoking, studied in late pregnancy, was found to be associated with lower blood glucose ... more Maternal smoking, studied in late pregnancy, was found to be associated with lower blood glucose values, both during fasting and after an intravenous glucose load. As a correlation between blood glucose levels and infant birth weight has been reported, it is possible that smoking during pregnancy might reduce fetal growth through an effect on maternal glucose metabolism.

Research paper thumbnail of Elevated Serum Selenium in Diabetic Children

Acta Paediatrica, 1984

ABSTRACT. Twenty-seven diabetic children, 16 girls and 11 boys, 5–18 years of age, with a duratio... more ABSTRACT. Twenty-seven diabetic children, 16 girls and 11 boys, 5–18 years of age, with a duration of the disease ranging from 2–15 years, comprised the study group. Thirteen children with a similar age and sex distribution, living in the same area served as healthy controls. All 40 children had a normal growth pattern. The mean serum selenium concentration in the diabetic children, determined by neutron activation analysis, was 7.4 ± 0.8 μg/100 ml (mean ± SD) and in the healthy controls 6.5 ± 0.8 μg/100 ml. The difference between the two groups was statistically highly significant (p < 0.01). Boys and girls in both groups had nearly identical mean serum selenium levels and no correlation was observed between the selenium concentrations and either the age, weight or height of the children or the indicators of diabetic control. The selenium status in diabetic children has not been reported previously. The possibility of elevated serum selenium in diabetic children in response to altered lipid metabolism is discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Relative effect of parental birth weight on infant birth weight at term

Clinical Genetics, 2008

The relations between some hereditary and environmental factors and the variation in infant birth... more The relations between some hereditary and environmental factors and the variation in infant birth weight were estimated by multiple linear regression analyses on a sample of 276 Scandinavian single term pregnancies.Gestational age explained 10.9%, fetal factors (maternal and paternal birth weights and fetal sex) 7.9%, maternal factors (parity, pre-pregnancy weight and height) 5.5% and external factors (adjusted weight gain and smoking) 5.8% of the variation in infant birth weight.It is concluded that maternal and paternal birth weights are rather poor predictors of infant birth weight. Together they explain only 5.6% of the variation in infant birth weight at term.

Research paper thumbnail of Energy intake and physical activity during pregnancy in relation to maternal fat accretion and infant birthweight

Bjog-an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1987

Summary. During the second pregnancy of 56 Swedish women resulting in a term birth, energy intake... more Summary. During the second pregnancy of 56 Swedish women resulting in a term birth, energy intake and physical activity were measured for 3 days at weeks 17 and 33. The values were related to maternal lean body mass, pregnancy weight gain, maternal fat accretion and infant birth-weight by multiple linear regression analyses. A significant regression coefficient was found for energy intake at week 17 on maternal fat accretion. Energy intake was not significantly correlated with infant birthweight, not even when physical activity and maternal lean body mass were taken into account. Thus in a well-nourished Swedish population, energy intake is positively related to maternal fat accretion but not to the birthweight of term infants.

Research paper thumbnail of Reduced Serum Proteins in Diabetic Children on a Twice-Daily Insulin Schedule

Acta Paediatrica, 1985

ABSTRACT. The concentrations of selected proteins of transport and nutrition were investigated in... more ABSTRACT. The concentrations of selected proteins of transport and nutrition were investigated in 27 diabetic children and 13 healthy controls by an immunodiffusion technique. The diabetic children had significantly lower mean pre-albumin (p<0.001), albumin (p<0.01) and orosomucoid levels (p<0.05) than the healthy controls. No correlation was observed between age or sex and the blood concentrations of the specific proteins analyzed in this series. Haptoglobin and hemopexin showed positive correlations with serum triglycerides (both p<0.01) and slight positive correlations with some of the variables of carbohydrate control. The reduced levels of prealbumin and albumin were not correlated to diabetic control as measured by HbA1, fasting plasma glucose or urinary glucose excretion. The non-physiological distribution site and the abnormal temporal pattern of insulin offered to diabetic children might be the reason for the protein abnormalities found in this study. This is seemingly the first time reduced serum levels of proteins have been reported in diabetic children.

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary Intake in Swedish Diabetic Children

Acta Paediatrica, 1985

ABSTRACT. The energy and nutrient intakes by 14 children with type I diabetes and 13 healthy peer... more ABSTRACT. The energy and nutrient intakes by 14 children with type I diabetes and 13 healthy peers were investigated by the 24–h recall method and the results were compared with current recommendations for the general population and with the guidelines for the dietary management of diabetes mellitus. The diabetic children showed not only good compliance with the recommendations but also a better intake in practically all respects than their healthy counterparts. The total energy intake by the diabetic children was in good agreement with the recommendations, while that of the controls was slightly lower. The protein energy per cent in the diet of the diabetic children was 18%, compared with 14% in the controls. Forty percent of the energy in the diet of the diabetic children was derived from fats, 36% in the controls. With the exception of carbohydrates, ascorbic acid and iron, the diet of the diabetic children had a higher nutrient density than that of the control children and the reverse was true for carbohydrates only. Howewr, because of the generally higher energy intake displayed by the diabetic children, even the intake of these nutrients was at least as good in the diabetic children as in the controls. Eighty-six percent of the diabetic children but only 46% of the control children stated that the day for which intake data were given was a representative day. Key words: Dietary intake, recall, diabetes mellitus, insulin dependent, Sweden.

Research paper thumbnail of Placental hormones and maternal glucose metabolism. A study of fetal growth in normal pregnancy

Bjog-an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1989

The interrelations between three placental hormones (oestradiol, progesterone and hPL), maternal ... more The interrelations between three placental hormones (oestradiol, progesterone and hPL), maternal glucose metabolism, maternal anthropometry and fetal growth were studied in a sample of 52 carefully selected pregnant women. A relation was found between infant birthweight and both fasting blood glucose and t½ of glucose of an intravenous glucose tolerance test at week 37 of pregnancy. The serum concentrations of the placental hormones were not significantly related to the glucose variables. The correlation between birthweight and the maternal levels of hPL in late pregnancy (r= 0·60) persisted when fasting blood glucose and tt½ of glucose were taken into account. Maternal fat mass was found to explain more of the Variation in basal insulin levels around week 37 than did the placental hormones.