Adaptation of the cardiovascular system of infants born by mothers with diabetes mellitus

It is known, that diabetes mellitus has a significant impact on the growth and development of the fetus. Hyperglycemia during pregnancy increases significantly the incidence of congenital malformations, perinatal morbidity and neonatal mortality. Over the past decades has been a steady increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus both in the general population and among pregnant women. In this regard, the study of the influence of diabetes mellitus in the mother on the condition of the fetus and newborn is today a relevant problem of obstetric-gynecological, neonatological and pediatric services. Hyperglycemia during pregnancy has the greatest effect on the fetal cardiovascular system. Diabetes mellitus of the mother causes an increase in the frequency of congenital heart defects in the newborn, myocardial hypertrophy, as well as various functional disorders of the cardiovascular system. This review mainly discusses the pathogenetic aspects and molecular mechanisms of the effect of hyperglycemia on the development of the fetal heart, provides an assessment of clinical, echocardiographic and some laboratory changes in the functioning of the cardiovascular system in newborns from mothers with diabetes mellitus, and also systematizes data on the relationship between maternal diabetes and the risks of cardiovascular disease in their children in the long term.