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. 2020 Jan;301(1):151-159.
doi: 10.1007/s00404-020-05436-2. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

Altered growth trajectory in children born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia

Yonglin Huang  1 , Wei Zhang  2 , Karen Go  1 , Kenji J Tsuchiya  3 , Jianzhong Hu  4   5 , Daniel W Skupski  6 , Sheow Yun Sie  7 , Yoko Nomura  8   9
Affiliations

Altered growth trajectory in children born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia

Yonglin Huang et al. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia are leading causes of mortality and morbidity in mothers and children. High childhood body mass index (BMI) is among their myriad of negative outcomes. However, little is known about the trajectory of the child BMI exposed to GDM and co-occurring preeclampsia from early to mid-childhood. This study examined the independent and joint impact of GDM and preeclampsia on childhood BMI trajectory.

Methods: A population-based sample of 356 mothers were recruited from OB/GYN clinics in New York. Their children were then followed annually from 18 to 72 months. Maternal GDM and preeclampsia status were obtained from medical records. Child BMI was calculated based on their height and weight at annual visits.

Results: Hierarchical Linear Modeling was used to evaluate the trajectories of child BMI exposed to GDM and preeclampsia. BMI trajectory by GDM decreased (t ratio = - 2.24, [Formula: see text]0.45, 95% CI - 0.05-0.95, p = 0.07), but the trajectory by preeclampsia increased over time (t ratio = 3.153,[Formula: see text]0.65, 95% CI 0.11-1.18, p = 0.002). Moreover, there was a significant interaction between the two (t ratio = -2.24, [Formula: see text]- 1.244, 95% CI 0.15-2.33, p = 0.02), such that the BMI of children born to mothers with both GDM and preeclampsia showed consistent increases over time.

Conclusions: GDM and preeclampsia could be used as a marker for childhood obesity risk and the identification of a high-risk group, providing potential early intervention. These findings highlight the importance of managing obstetric complications, as an effective method of child obesity prevention.

Keywords: Body mass index; Childhood obesity; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Growth trajectory; Preeclampsia; Prenatal origin of childhood obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Growth trajectory of child BMI between 18 and 72 months – Intercept only model with curvilinear growth (Model 1b)
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Growth trajectory of child BMI between 18 and 72 months of age – Intercept and predictors (GDM, preeclampsia, and the interaction of the two) (Model 2a – linear model) NB: BMI = body mass index 0 = absence; 1 = presence
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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