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Perinatal factors associated with subsequent diabetes mellitus in the child: record linkage study

R Ievins1, S E Roberts, M J Goldacre

  • 1Unit of Health-Care Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Diabetic Medicine : a Journal of the British Diabetic Association
|April 4, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Maternal diabetes significantly increases the risk of offspring developing diabetes mellitus. While birthweight for gestational age showed a slight association, other perinatal factors were not linked to diabetes development in children.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Understanding the influence of perinatal factors on childhood and adolescent diabetes mellitus is crucial for early identification and prevention strategies.
  • Previous research has explored various maternal and neonatal factors, but robust evidence linking specific perinatal conditions to long-term diabetes risk in offspring remains an area of active investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between perinatal factors and the development of diabetes mellitus in individuals under 30 years of age.
  • To identify specific maternal and neonatal characteristics during pregnancy and birth that may predispose offspring to diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of linked hospital statistical records was conducted.
  • The study compared perinatal factors of 518 individuals hospitalized for diabetes with those of 292,845 controls within a defined population in southern England (1963-1999).
  • Statistical analysis included odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to assess associations.

Main Results:

  • A significantly higher incidence of diabetes mellitus was observed in children born to mothers with diabetes (odds ratio 6.42).
  • An increased risk of diabetes was noted in the highest quintile of 'birthweight for gestational age' compared to lower quintiles (odds ratio 1.33), but no consistent gradient was found.
  • No significant associations were found between offspring diabetes and maternal age, parity, social class, smoking during pregnancy, mode of delivery, or other investigated perinatal factors.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal diabetes is a strong predictor of diabetes development in offspring, predominantly Type 1 diabetes.
  • A slightly elevated risk of diabetes was associated with the highest category of birthweight for gestational age.
  • The study found no significant links between offspring diabetes and other commonly studied perinatal factors.
Abstract

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