Association between maternal fasting glucose levels throughout pregnancy and preschoolers' refractive errors.

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the association between maternal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) trajectories during pregnancy and children's refractive errors at 6 years old. Based on the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort (MABC) in China, a total of 1987 mother-child pairs were included in this study. Using the group-based trajectory model, trajectory fitting was performed on fasting blood glucose levels during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. Children's vision was measured at 6 years of age using the standard logarithmic visual acuity E-chart and cycloplegic refraction examination. Logistic regression models and multi-informant generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the association between maternal blood glucose level and 6-year-old children's visual acuity. Children born of mothers with high level FPG trajectory had a higher risk of developing refractive error [OR=1.46 (95% CI 1.08 1.97)], hypermetropia [OR=1.64 (95% CI 1.09, 2.46)] and astigmatism [OR=1.60 (95% CI 1.06, 2.41)] at age six compared to those with low level trajectory. Maternal blood glucose level in the first [β=-0.012 (95% CI -0.024, -0.001)] and the second [β=-0.016 (95% CI -0.025, -0.006)] trimesters was associated with 6 year children's distance vision value. High level of fasting plasma glucose trajectories during pregnancy has been observed to be associated with 6-year-old children's refractive error, hypermetropia and astigmatism. The first and the second trimesters may be critical periods for the effects of maternal blood glucose on children's vision. The long-term effect of maternal glucose metabolism on children's visual development deserves further study.