Dion Kelly
Maternal diabetes, both pregestational and gestational, has significant
implications for fetal development and the long-term health of offspring.
One critical aspect of these effects is the alteration of gene expression
profiles in maternal tissues and in the placenta, which can impact fetal
growth, organ development, and metabolic programming. This article
explores how maternal diabetes influences gene expression at the
molecular level, focusing on the placenta and maternal blood cells, and
discusses the potential long-term consequences for offspring, such as the
increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. We review
current research on gene expression changes in maternal diabetes and
provide insight into how these changes might serve as early biomarkers
for fetal health.
