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Is HbA1c associated with birth weight? A multivariable analysis of Pakistani pregnant women

Olivia Silke1, Ilona S Yim1, Kiran Shaikh2

  • 1Department of Psychological Science, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.

The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research
|June 21, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Maternal HbA1c levels during pregnancy are linked to infant birth weight, with fetal sex playing a moderating role. Higher HbA1c in women carrying male fetuses predicted increased birth weight in Pakistani mothers.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Maternal-fetal medicine
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Low and high birth weight affect global infant health, disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income countries.
  • Understanding factors influencing birth weight is crucial for improving neonatal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal prenatal glucose regulation (HbA1c) and infant birth weight.
  • To examine the moderating effect of fetal sex on this relationship in Pakistani women.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized secondary data from a prospective longitudinal study of 189 healthy pregnant women in Pakistan.
  • Assessed maternal HbA1c levels between 12-19 weeks of gestation.
  • Collected infant birth weight data post-delivery.

Main Results:

  • Higher maternal HbA1c was significantly associated with increased infant birth weight (p=0.03).
  • Fetal sex moderated this association (p=0.02).
  • Specifically, in pregnancies with male fetuses, each 1% increase in HbA1c predicted an approximate 182g increase in birth weight.

Conclusions:

  • Findings suggest fetal sex influences the relationship between maternal glucose regulation and birth weight in early to mid-pregnancy.
  • Results extend previous research from high-income countries to a Pakistani population.
  • Further research into sociocultural factors is recommended to understand mediating mechanisms.
Abstract

Keywords:
birth weightglucoseglycated hemoglobinlow- and middle-income countriespregnancy

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