Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal
Selected Publication:
Tatrai, K.
The Effect Of Physical Activity In Pregnancy On The Lipid Profiles Of Mother And Newborn
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medical University of Graz; 2015. pp.101
[OPEN ACCESS]
FullText
- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Csapo Bence Daniel
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Introduction: Physical activity during pregnancy is a major factor contributing to fetal growth and body composition. It has already been shown that there is a physiological secondary hyperlipidemia due to increasing lipid fractions in pregnancy. The effect of physical activity in pregnancy on lipid profiles of mothers and newborns has not been extensively investigated before. Just as a complete lack of physical activity, also training at high or moderate levels during pregnancy influences fetal growth and possibly even fetal lipid levels. Aims: To investigate lipid profiles of physically active and non-active women and their newborns, by hypothesizing that physical activity during pregnancy results in a reduced level of oxidized HDL in both mother and child. If this can be proven, the results may contribute to developing new guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy. Methods: For this prospective, observational pilot study 53 healthy pregnant women were recruited. The women were grouped into physically active and non-active groups based on a self-assessment questionnaire and objectified with an accelerometer. Activity requirements were a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week at a moderate intensity. Blood samples were collected from the patients three times during pregnancy and at delivery. Additional arterial and venous blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord after birth. Data was analyzed using Excel and Sigma Plot. Results: Statistically significant differences in pregnant women could be seen in HDL, LDL, phospholipid, triglyceride, Apo lipoprotein AI, B and CIII levels at different time points throughout pregnancy, consistently with better outcomes for active mothers. In fetal blood samples only a trend for beneficial oxHDL and Apo AI levels could be observed. Linear regressions show negative correlations between fetal outcomes and fetal HDL and its sub fractions, Apo AI and oxHDL, in the non-active group, while in the active group these fetal outcome correlations with oxHDL are positive. Discussion: The benefits of physical activity before and during pregnancy are reflected by various lipid parameters throughout pregnancy. The fact that even HDL and Apo A1 are negatively correlated with fetal outcomes in the non-active group shows that there must be an unfavorable composition of HDL in physically non-active mothers. Since cord blood samples only show us trends for better lipid levels in newborns, further investigation on this highly relevant topic is indispensable and should include longitudinal, observational studies, which focus also on the composition of HDL.