Predictors of neonatal adiposity and associations by fetal sex in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and normal glucose-tolerant women

Abstract

The key findings of this multi-centre prospective cohort study were that neonates born to mothers treated for Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (by lifestyle or medication, e.g. insulin or metformin) had high rates of macrosomia but similar adiposity to those born of mothers with normal glucose tolerance. In contrast, neonates born to untreated mothers who were overweight and had a normal glucose tolerance had increased adiposity. Increased gestational weight gain was associated with increased neonatal adiposity in boys. Maternal BMI, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and gestational weight gain were independent predictors for neonatal adiposity.