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Childhood obesity and metabolic imprinting: the ongoing effects of maternal hyperglycemia

Teresa A Hillier1, Kathryn L Pedula, Mark M Schmidt

  • 1Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, Oregon 97227, USA. teresa.hillier@kpchr.org

Diabetes Care
|May 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Higher maternal glucose levels during pregnancy are linked to an increased risk of childhood obesity. This association persists across various glucose ranges, highlighting a potential connection between maternal hyperglycemia and offspring weight outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a significant pregnancy complication.
  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with long-term health implications.
  • Understanding the prenatal factors influencing childhood obesity is crucial for prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between the spectrum of maternal glycemia during pregnancy and the risk of obesity in offspring.
  • To determine if varying levels of maternal hyperglycemia are associated with increased childhood obesity rates.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 9,439 offspring was studied, with weight ascertained at 5-7 years of age.
  • Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening and diagnosis were performed using standard glucose challenge tests (GCT) and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT).
  • Offspring obesity was classified based on sex-specific weight-for-age percentiles, linked to maternal GCT and OGTT results, with adjustments for confounders.

Main Results:

  • A significant positive trend (P < 0.0001) was observed between increasing maternal glucose levels and the risk of childhood obesity at ages 5-7 years.
  • This association remained significant after adjusting for maternal weight gain, age, parity, ethnicity, and birth weight.
  • The risk of childhood obesity was attenuated in offspring of mothers treated for GDM compared to those with lesser hyperglycemia.

Conclusions:

  • Increased maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of childhood obesity in a multiethnic U.S. population.
  • The findings suggest that the degree of maternal hyperglycemia may be a contributing factor to childhood obesity.
  • Further research is warranted to explore whether GDM treatment can modify the risk of childhood obesity.
Abstract

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