:
Obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are becoming more common among pregnant
women worldwide and are individually associated with a number of placenta-mediated obstetric
complications, including preeclampsia, macrosomia, intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth. The
placenta serves several functions throughout pregnancy and is the main exchange site for the transfer of
nutrients and gas from mother to fetus. In pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity or GDM, the
placenta is exposed to environmental changes, such as increased inflammation and oxidative stress,
dyslipidemia, and altered hormone levels. These changes can affect placental development and function
and lead to abnormal fetal growth and development as well as metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities
in the offspring. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the effects of obesity and
GDM on placental development and function. Understanding these processes is key in developing
therapeutic interventions with the goal of mitigating these effects and preventing future cardiovascular
and metabolic pathology in subsequent generations.
Review of gestational diabetes mellitus effects on vascular structure and function
