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Pregnant women

Excessive Inflammation During Pregnancy Linked to Chronic Disease Risks

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research from the School of Kinesiology reveals that excessive inflammation during pregnancy can be influenced by maternal factors such as pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain. This inflammation is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and prolonged exposure can increase the risk of cardiometabolic conditions later in life. Exercise has been shown to be an effective method for reducing pro-inflammatory biomarkers and increasing anti-inflammatory biomarkers, but more research is needed to determine the optimal exercise mode during pregnancy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Excessive inflammation during pregnancy is influenced by maternal factors such as pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain.
  • Pro-inflammatory biomarkers such as TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-8, and CRP are increased in individuals with gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth.
  • Maternal-fetal interface pathologies, such as recurrent spontaneous miscarriages, are associated with increased pro-inflammatory biomarkers.
  • Exercise is an effective method for reducing pro-inflammatory and increasing anti-inflammatory biomarkers in non-gravid adults.
  • Exercise during pregnancy is associated with reduced risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, enhanced placental function and structure, lower neonatal adiposity, and improved maternal and offspring cardiovascular measures.
  • Recent research suggests that exercise during pregnancy reduces pro-inflammatory biomarkers, but more research is needed to determine the optimal exercise mode.
  • This review outlines the effects of excessive inflammation during pregnancy and explores how different exercise modes may influence maternal, placental, and fetal inflammation.
  • Michelle F. Mottola, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, and colleagues conducted this research.
  • Additional authors include Breanna L. Wisseman, Tonya Zeczycki, James Devente, Edward Newton, Steven Mouro, and Linda E. May.

Statistics:

  • 4 pro-inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-8) are increased in individuals with gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth.
  • Exercise during pregnancy reduces the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes by 25%.
  • Exercise during pregnancy has a lasting effect on infant health, potentially improving the risk of chronic disease later in life.
  • 93.4% of non-gravid adults had reduced pro-inflammatory biomarkers after exercise.

Sources:

  • The effect of exercise mode on inflammation markers during pregnancy: A narrative review. Advanced Exercise and Health Science, 2025,2(3):159-165. Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
  • Obesity & Diabetes Week. October 20, 2025; p 142.

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