Obesity, Hyperglycemia, and Pregnancy: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Practice

Adverse nutritional and genetic factors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of non-communicable diseases. Pregnancy represents a critical time window in which maternal metabolic disturbances, such as obesity and hyperglycemia, may result in short- and long-term complications for both the mother and the offspring.

There is strong evidence that even pre- and periconceptional parental insults can affect fetal development by activating specific key mechanisms of epigenetic reprogramming. Therefore, the study of trans-generational effects is a very promising field of research, as the knowledge of pathophysiological and clinical mechanisms induced by maternal obesity and hyperglycemia during pregnancy could shed light on the health of the next generation and provide useful preventive tools.

This Research Topic aims to provide insight into several facets of the connections between obesity, hyperglycemia, and pregnancy. We welcome original research and review articles concerning the following sub-themes:

• Environment and fertility relationships on the role of obesity and hyperglycemia in pregnancy;
• Omics, obesity and hyperglycemia;
• Epidemiology, obesity, hyperglycemia, and conception;
• Diagnostic criteria in different countries;
• Pathophysiology of pregnancy and obesity, and pregnancy and hyperglycemia;
• Clinical aspects of obesity, hyperglycemia, and pregnancy;
• Placenta in obesity and hyperglycemia;
• Nutritional aspects in pregnancy with obesity and hyperglycemia;
• Innovative tools and telemedicine in the prevention and therapy of obesity and hyperglycemia in pregnancy;
• Offspring phenotype in obesity and hyperglycemia, as well we long-term offspring complications;