Concentrations of fatty acids among macrosomic neonates delivered by healthy women and women with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Objective To evaluate the concentration and profile of fatty acids ( FA s) among macrosomic neonates delivered by healthy pregnant women and pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1 DM ). Methods A prospective study of women who delivered macrosomic neonates at a University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia, 2016–2018. Maternal, umbilical vein, and arterial blood samples were collected immediately on delivery. After lipid extraction, total FA s in maternal, umbilical vein, and arterial serum samples were assessed by gas chromatography. Data were compared between women with T1 DM and healthy control women. Results In total, 50 women were enrolled: 22 with T1 DM and 28 control women. Neonates in the T1 DM group had a higher ponderal index as compared with the control group ( P =0.006). Umbilical vein insulin, insulin resistance, and leptin concentration were higher in the T1 DM group than in the control group (all P <0.001). Umbilical vein serum concentrations of total saturated, monounsaturated, n‐3 polyunsaturated, and n‐6 polyunsaturated FA s were higher in the T1 DM group ( P =0.004, P <0.001, P =0.015, and P =0.014, respectively). Conclusion Macrosomic neonates delivered by women with T1 DM had a higher Ponderal index, and higher concentrations of insulin, leptin, and FA s in the umbilical vein and artery as compared with control group newborns.