Whilst some authors have speculated that these low levels may be a direct response to maternal hyperglycaemia [14], it should be noted that experimental evidence showing depression of hPL levels required maternal blood glucose to be raised dramatically (via rapid intravenous infusion over 30 min to a mean of 22.2 mmol/L, in the seminal trial) [49]. The gene discussed is LGALS1; the disease is Hyperglycemia.