Intrauterine development and birth constitute an uninterrupted sequence of events that have a molecular physiologic background. "Perinatal Biochemistry" presents a comprehensive review of this subject. Specific topics addressed include maternal metabolism during pregnancy, maternal insulin resistance, embryonic and foetal metabolism and fuel consumption, the foetal pancreas, growth factors, brain metabolism, and biochemical adaptations to early extrauterine life. Features include coverage of all major aspects of maternal and foetal metabolism during gestation, with special emphasis on transitory changes occuring at different stages of pregnancy; practical examples and clinical applications; a discussion of major changes in maternal metabolism including carbohydrate-lipid interactions, lipoprotein metabolism, and amino acid metabolism.