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Association between maternal and child leptin levels 9 years after pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes

M P Malee1, A Verma, G Messerlian

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants' Hospital, Brown Medical School, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI, USA.

Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|May 3, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is linked to higher child leptin levels nine years later. Elevated child leptin in offspring of GDM mothers correlates with maternal leptin, suggesting a long-term association.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Obesity is linked to leptin resistance and increased type 2 diabetes risk.
  • Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a higher risk of obesity.
  • Leptin plays a crucial role in regulating appetite and energy balance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal and child leptin levels 9 years post-delivery in mothers with and without GDM.
  • To determine if child leptin levels at age 9 can serve as an early marker for insulin resistance.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study of 64 mothers (33 GDM, 31 controls) and their 9-year-old offspring.
  • Analysis of maternal and child leptin levels, child body mass index (BMI), and child fasting insulin.
  • Statistical analyses including univariate and multivariate correlations.

Main Results:

  • Child leptin levels were significantly correlated with maternal leptin levels only in the offspring of GDM mothers (r = 0.59, p = 0.001).
  • Multivariate analysis showed child leptin associated with child BMI (R(2) = 0.65), child fasting insulin (R(2) = 0.08), and female gender (R(2) = 0.28).
  • Among offspring of GDM mothers, child leptin was associated with maternal leptin (R(2) = 0.14).

Conclusions:

  • A significant association exists between maternal and child leptin levels 9 years after pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes.
  • Child leptin may be an indicator of metabolic changes related to maternal GDM exposure.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the long-term metabolic implications for offspring exposed to GDM in utero.

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