Lower daily carbohydrate consumption than recommended by the Institute of Medicine is common among women with type 2 diabetes in early pregnancy in Denmark

Björg Ásbjörnsdóttir, Helle Ronneby, Marianne Vestgaard, Lene Ringholm, Vibeke Ladefoged Nichum, Dorte M Jensen, Anne Raben, Peter Damm, Elisabeth R Mathiesen

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims: To secure adequate carbohydrate supply in pregnancy, the Institute of Medicine (IOM)recommends a minimum amount of carbohydrates of 175 g daily. Currently a low carbohydrate diet is a popular health trend in the general population and this might also be common among overweight and obese pregnant women with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Thus, we explored carbohydrate consumption among pregnant women with T2D including women with type 1 diabetes (T1D)for comparison. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive women with T2D (N = 96)and T1D (N = 108), where dietary records were collected at the first antenatal visit. Results: Among women with T2D and T1D, bodyweight at the first visit was 90.8 ± 22 (mean ± SD)and 75.5 ± 15 kg (P < 0.001)while HbA1c was 6.6 ± 1.2% (49 ± 13 mmol/mol)and 6.6 ± 0.8% (48 ± 8 mmol/mol), P = 0.8, respectively. The average daily carbohydrate consumption from the major carbohydrate sources was similar in the two groups (159 ± 56 and 167 ± 48 g, P = 0.3), as was the level of total daily physical activity (median (interquartile range)): 215 (174–289)and 210 (178–267)metabolic equivalent of task-hour/week (P = 0.9). A high proportion of women with T2D and T1D (52% and 40%, P = 0.08)consumed fewer carbohydrates than recommended by the IOM. The prevalence of ketonuria (≥4 mmol/L)was 1% in both groups. Conclusions: In early pregnancy, a lower daily carbohydrate consumption than recommended by the IOM was common among women with T2D. The results were quite similar to women with T1D, despite a markedly higher bodyweight in women with T2D. Reassuringly, ketonuria was rare in both groups.

Original languageEnglish
JournalDiabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Volume152
Pages (from-to)88-95
Number of pages8
ISSN0168-8227
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2019

Keywords

  • Faculty of Science
  • Carbohydrate
  • Pregnancy
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Type 1 diabetes

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