Placental transfer of maternal substances (glucose/ketones cross; insulin does not)
Core concept
- Glucose crosses freely (facilitated diffusion via GLUT1) - fetal glucose tracks maternal glucose closely
- Ketones cross freely - maternal starvation/DKA exposes the fetus directly
- Insulin does NOT cross the placenta - fetal hyperglycaemia drives fetal (not maternal) insulin production
- Free fatty acids cross poorly; maternal IgG crosses via active FcRn transport (rising through the third trimester), conferring passive immunity
3 more sections, plus exam facts
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