Due to copyright issues, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. For the faculty to have time to process the order, the order must be received by the faculty at the latest 2 days before the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. After the public defence, please address any inquiries regarding the thesis to the candidate.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Professor Bo Jacobsson, University of Gothenburg,
- Second opponent: Associate Professor Ragnar Kvie Sande, Stavanger University Hospital,
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Associate professor Andrea Solnes Miltenburg, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Professor Peter Fedorcsak, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Professor Trond Melbye Michelsen, University of Oslo
Summary
The increased prevalence of maternal overweight and obesity poses profound health challenges for both mother and offspring during and after pregnancy. This thesis aimed to gain insight into how maternal BMI affects the maternal metabolic profile throughout pregnancy and to investigate associations between maternal metabolic profile and metabolic pregnancy complications (MPC).
Using data from the longitudinal STORK cohort, comprising initially healthy pregnant women, plasma samples were collected at four timepoints in pregnancy for analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Results revealed that metabolic differences observed in women with preeclampsia were influenced by maternal BMI, particularly evident before 24 weeks of gestation. Women with overweight/obesity exhibited distinct lipid-related differences, including elevated triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein, and inflammatory markers, along with reduced levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, notably docosahexaenoic acid.
Metabolic alterations in preeclampsia indicated potential shared metabolic pathways with overweight/obesity. Gestational weight gain did not alter metabolic profiles. The association between metabolic profiles in early pregnancy and subsequent development of MPC, were attributed to fatty acid composition. Higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids increased the risk, whereas higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid, were associated with reduced risk.
These findings underscore the importance of maternal metabolic health in relation to MPC. While these studies provide valuable insight, they are exploratory, and must be validated in larger cohorts. Understanding the complex metabolic interplay during pregnancy is important for addressing the challenges posed by overweight and obesity and to improve maternal and offspring outcomes. Further research is warranted to elucidate the causal mechanisms and potential interventions.
Additional information
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