What happens when fetal glucose is insufficient?

What happens when fetal glucose is insufficient?

• A. Decreases in protein available for growth leading to IUGR
• B. Macrosomia
• C. No effect
• D. Increased fat deposition

Answer: (A)

When the fetus doesn’t have enough glucose, there isn’t enough energy to support growth and protein synthesis. Glucose is the main fuel the fetus uses to build tissues, so an energy shortfall slows anabolic processes and reduces the amount of protein available for growth. That combination leads to restricted fetal growth, known as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Macrosomia would come from excess glucose with fetal hyperinsulinemia, not from glucose deficiency, and the option of no effect isn’t true because growth is energy-dependent. Increased fat deposition also requires more glucose/insulin; with deficiency, fat stores aren’t promoted.

When the fetus doesn’t have enough glucose, there isn’t enough energy to support growth and protein synthesis. Glucose is the main fuel the fetus uses to build tissues, so an energy shortfall slows anabolic processes and reduces the amount of protein available for growth. That combination leads to restricted fetal growth, known as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Macrosomia would come from excess glucose with fetal hyperinsulinemia, not from glucose deficiency, and the option of no effect isn’t true because growth is energy-dependent. Increased fat deposition also requires more glucose/insulin; with deficiency, fat stores aren’t promoted.