Relationship between maternal body composition in first trimester and gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between maternal body composition in first trimester and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods In this nested case-control study based on a prospective cohort study, we enrolled gravidas between 8 and 14 weeks of gestation, who received prenatal care and voluntary nutrition evaluation in Gansu Provincial Maternity and Children Health Care Hospital, from July 2016 to January 2017. Body mass index (BMI) of each gravida was recorded and the maternal body composition including body fat, body fat percentage and fat-free mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Pregnancy outcomes were followed up. A total of 70 patients diagnosed with GDM were allocated to the GDM group and 140 healthy gravidas matching for age and pre-pregnancy BMI were selected as the control group. Differences in body composition between two groups and their relationships with GDM were analyzed by Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results Maternal BMI≥30 kg/m2 (OR=1.973, 95%CI: 1.095-7.664, P=0.024) and body fat percentage≥30%, ≥35% and ≥40% in first trimester (OR=1.261, 95%CI: 1.021-2.982, P=0.010; OR=4.020, 95%CI: 1.341-7.950, P<0.001; OR=8.311, 95%CI: 5.018-42.771, P<0.001) were the risk factors of GDM. Conclusions BMI≥30 kg/m2 and body fat percentage ≥30% in first trimester are risk factors for GDM and excessive adipose tissue may play an important role in the development of GDM. Key words: Pregnancy trimester, first; Body mass index; Diabetes, gestational; Risk factors