OBJECTIVE: To compare plasma glucose in pregnant women living at very high altitude; pregnant women living at sea level; non-pregnant women living at very high altitude; and non-pregnant women living at sea level. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-four pregnant women attending for routine antenatal care at 8-42 weeks of gestation in Cerro de Pasco, Peru which is situated 4370 m above sea level; 122 pregnant women in Lima, which is at sea level; 22 non-pregnant women in Cerro de Pasco; and 31 non-pregnant women in Lima. METHODS: Plasma glucose concentrations were measured in samples obtained from the antecubital vein between 8 am and 10 am after an overnight period of fasting for at least 10 hours. RESULTS: Fasting plasma glucose was lower in women at high altitude than in those at sea level, and in both groups the level was lower in pregnant women than in non-pregnant controls. The body mass index was not significantly different between all four groups, and it did not have a significant independent contribution in explaining the variance in fasting plasma glucose. CONCLUSION: Women native at high altitude have lower plasma glucose concentrations before and during pregnancy than those at sea level.
OBJECTIVE: To compare plasma glucose in pregnant women living at very high altitude; pregnant women living at sea level; non-pregnant women living at very high altitude; and non-pregnant women living at sea level. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-four pregnant women attending for routine antenatal care at 8-42 weeks of gestation in Cerro de Pasco, Peru which is situated 4370 m above sea level; 122 pregnant women in Lima, which is at sea level; 22 non-pregnant women in Cerro de Pasco; and 31 non-pregnant women in Lima. METHODS: Plasma glucose concentrations were measured in samples obtained from the antecubital vein between 8 am and 10 am after an overnight period of fasting for at least 10 hours. RESULTS: Fasting plasma glucose was lower in women at high altitude than in those at sea level, and in both groups the level was lower in pregnant women than in non-pregnant controls. The body mass index was not significantly different between all four groups, and it did not have a significant independent contribution in explaining the variance in fasting plasma glucose. CONCLUSION:Women native at high altitude have lower plasma glucose concentrations before and during pregnancy than those at sea level.