Frontiers in Endocrinology (Nov 2024)

Gestational diabetes mellitus and linear growth in early childhood

  • Zi-Lin Chen,
  • Zi-Lin Chen,
  • Xin Liu,
  • Min-Yi Tao,
  • Meng-Nan Yang,
  • Hua He,
  • Fang Fang,
  • Ting Wu,
  • Fengxiu Ouyang,
  • Jun Zhang,
  • Fei Li,
  • Zhong-Cheng Luo,
  • Zhong-Cheng Luo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1470678
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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IntroductionGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication with potential short- and long-term adverse consequences for both mothers and fetuses. It is unclear whether GDM affects linear growth in the offspring; research data are limited and inconsistent.MethodsIn a prospective birth cohort in Shanghai (n=2055 children; 369 born to mothers with GDM). We sought to evaluate the impact of GDM on longitudinal linear growth in early childhood. Length/height was measured in children at birth, 6 weeks, 6 months, 1, 2 and 4 years of age. Multivariate linear regression and generalized estimating equation models were employed to assess the impact of GDM on length/height for age Z score (LAZ/HAZ).ResultsAverage birth length was similar in infants of GDM vs. euglycemic mothers. Adjusting for maternal and child characteristics, the children of mothers with GDM had consistently lower LAZ/HAZ compared to children of mothers without diabetes at ages 6 weeks, 6 months, 1, 2 and 4 years. GDM was associated with a 0.12 (95% confidence intervals 0.04-0.21) deficit in LAZ/HAZ in the growth trajectory from birth to age 4 years after adjusting for maternal and child characteristics.DiscussionGDM was associated with impaired longitudinal linear growth in early childhood. Further studies are warranted to understand the long-term impact on stature and health.

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