Metabolic control in diabetic pregnancy. Variations in plasma concentrations of glucose, free fatty acids, glycerol, ketone bodies, insulin, and human chorionic somatomammotropin during the last trimester.

Metabolic control was evaluated under standard conditions in pregnant gestational and insulin-dependent diabetic patients and control subjects from: (1) changes during an 8 hour period in blood glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, ketone bodies, chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS), and insulin during the last trimester and (2) changes from weeks 32 to 40 in fasting blood glucose, FFA, glycerol, and ketone bodies. Mean glucose levels calculated from five daily analysis 28 days before delivery were determined in insulin-dependent and gestational diabetic patients (pregnancy glucose level). Group mean 8 hour glucose levels were similar in diabetic patients and control subjects, but glucose swings were greater in diabetic patients. Gestational diabetic patients had delayed insulin response following meals. FFA, glycerol, and ketone bodies varied in parallel with a simmilar pattern in diabetic patients and control subjects. Insulin-dependent diabetic patients had suppressed lipid mobilization in the afternoon when glucose levels were almost normal. In control subjects, FFA, glycerol, and ketone bodies were not above normal nonpregnant values. Diabetic patients showed great individual variations in all parameters measured. FFA and ketone bodies were significantly above normal; glycerol and glucose were normal. Pregnancy glucose levels were significantly correlated to a mean amplitude of glycemic swings (MAGE) determined from the 8 hour glucose profiles. The glucose value 2 hours after breakfast correlated best to the MAGE value.