Association of prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes with offspring body composition and regional body fat distribution

Abstract

The aim of this cohort study was to compare body composition and regional body fat distribution between children exposed (GDM+) or unexposed (GDM−) in utero to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to investigate the association with the glycaemic and the insulin profile. Data from 56 GDM+ and 30 GDM− were analysed. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured. Total and regional body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Insulin, glucose and HbA1c were obtained from a fasting plasma sample, and the HOMA-IR index was calculated. anova was performed to compare adiposity measures between GDM+ and GDM−. Associations between the glycaemic and insulin profile and adiposity measures were studied using partial Pearson correlations. Mean age was 6.6 ± 2.3 years. Waist circumference, fat mass percentage, android fat mass, android fat mass percentage and android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio were higher among GDM+, and lean mass percentage was lower (P < 0.05). Among GDM+ children, body mass index (BMI) z score, waist circumference, fat mass percentage, android fat mass percentage and android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio were all positively correlated with HbA1C (r = 0.32–0.43, P < 0.05). Prenatal exposure to GDM is associated with increased total and abdominal adiposity. This increased adiposity observed among GDM+ children is associated with an altered glycaemic profile. This study is registered in the Clinical Trials.gov registry (NCT01340924).

What is already known about this subject? • Although body mass index (BMI) is frequently used to assess children adiposity, other anthropometric measures may be better indicators of cardiometabolic risk. • Few studies investigated others adiposity measures in children exposed to gestational diabetes.

What this study adds? • In the current study, adiposity of children exposed to gestational diabetes is evaluated in a more complete and precise manner with assessment of body composition and fat distribution by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. • This study also investigates the association of those adiposity measures with children glycaemic and insulin profile.