The impact of short maternal height on gestational diabetes

To evaluate the impact of short maternal height on gestational diabetes, by different body mass index (BMI) classes.

We performed this population-based retrospective cohort study including individuals with singleton pregnancies delivering January 1st 2012 to December 31st 2019 in the Eastern Health region of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. We divided maternal height into three groups: < 25% (short height), 25-75% (average height), and > 75% (tall height). We performed univariate and multivariate regression analyses (adjusting for potential confounders identified in univariate analyses) to determine if short height was an independent predictor of gestational diabetes, stratified by BMI class.

We assessed 15,803 pregnancies, with 1062 (6.7%) experiencing gestational diabetes. Among all BMI categories combined, short height was an independent predictor of gestational diabetes (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.02-1.41, p = 0.031). In stratified analyses, short height was an independent predictor of gestational diabetes among those with a normal BMI (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.23-2.50, p = 0.002) but not an independent predictor in higher BMI classes.

The association between short maternal height and gestational diabetes varies by BMI class. Among those with a normal BMI, short maternal height is associated with the development of gestational diabetes.