Associations between capillary glucose during pregnancy and childhood growth to the age of five: a cohort study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between random capillary glucose levels in healthy pregnant women and infant size at birth and childhood growth to the age of five years. This population-based cohort study comprised 10,937 healthy mother–child dyads. Data on highest maternal random capillary glucose level during pregnancy and sequential anthropometric data on their children during the first five years of life were gathered from the Uppsala County Mother and Child Cohort. Statistical analyses were performed with linear regression and linear mixed effect regression models. We found that higher glucose level during pregnancy was associated with higher weight z-score (β 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08–0.11), length z-score (β 0.05, 95% CI 0.03–0.07) and BMI z-score (β 0.09, 95% CI 0.07–0.12) at birth, adjusted for maternal BMI and country of birth, smoking during pregnancy and parity. The association did not remain at 1½, 3, 4 and 5 years of age. There was a positive relationship between higher glucose level during pregnancy and a decrease in weight z-score, height z-score and BMI z-score from birth to 5 years of age. In conclusion, higher random capillary glucose levels in pregnant healthy women were associated with greater infant size at birth, as well as decreased growth velocity in early childhood.

Associations between maternal metabolic parameters during pregnancy and fetal and child growth trajectories from 20 weeks' gestation to 5 years of age: Secondary analysis from the ROLO longitudinal birth cohort study

“…This has been reported in infants born to mother with higher maternal glucose levels who had a higher birth weight, followed by a period of slower growth in infancy, compared to infants of mothers with lower glucose levels 14 . Similar results were found in a population study, where random capillary glucose was performed in healthy pregnant women and a positive relationship between elevated glucose and birth weight was reported, with subsequent decreased childhood growth velocity up to age five 15 . Furthermore, Titmuss et al 57 found children exposed to hyperglycaemia in utero compared to unexposed children had lower weight, length/height and BMI trajectories in infancy followed by a similar weight and BMI at completion of the study at age three.…”

“… 14 Similar results were found in a population study, where random capillary glucose was performed in healthy pregnant women and a positive relationship between elevated glucose and birth weight was reported, with subsequent decreased childhood growth velocity up to age five. 15 Furthermore, Titmuss et al 57 found children exposed to hyperglycaemia in utero compared to unexposed children had lower weight, length/height and BMI trajectories in infancy followed by a similar weight and BMI at completion of the study at age three. While we did not find that elevated maternal glucose was associated with a slowing of postnatal growth or “catch down”, this may reflect the study population presented here as the aforementioned study consisted of women with a BMI in the normal range and almost half of women were in their first pregnancy.…”

“…However, in a similar study where adjustments for maternal body mass index (BMI) were made, untreated mild hyperglycaemia was not found to be associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity at age 5–7 years 13 . Furthermore, other studies have found while non‐fasting elevated maternal glucose levels have a positive correlation with higher birth weight, and this is followed by a period of slower growth in infancy 14,15 . Hence, while the association of elevated maternal glucose with higher birth weight has been well described, the influence of maternal glucose levels on childhood growth is less clear and warrants further exploration.…”

“… 13 Furthermore, other studies have found while non‐fasting elevated maternal glucose levels have a positive correlation with higher birth weight, and this is followed by a period of slower growth in infancy. 14 , 15 Hence, while the association of elevated maternal glucose with higher birth weight has been well described, the influence of maternal glucose levels on childhood growth is less clear and warrants further exploration.…”

Association between Maternal Blood Glucose Levels during Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes: A Birth Cohort Study

“…Substantial studies have shown that higher gestational blood glucose, whether in fasting or postprandial states in each trimester, is associated with an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes, even in nondiabetic pregnancies [11]. Indeed, higher random glucose levels in healthy pregnant women are associated with larger babies at birth and lower growth velocity in early childhood [12]. Hyperglycemia also contributes to childhood obesity, cardio metabolic disorders in women and growing long-term burden on future generations [13].…”