Maternal weight and gestational diabetes impacts on child health

Abstract

Purpose of reviewTo review recent evidence linking maternal body mass index and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with offspring health outcomes. Recent findingsIt is now established that the rising prevalences of maternal obesity and GDM are both making substantial contributions to the growing burden of childhood obesity and associated disorders. Strengthening evidence also links maternal obesity with increased offspring risks of cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, lower respiratory tract infections during infancy, wheezing illnesses, asthma and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during childhood, and with higher risks of psychiatric disorders and colorectal cancer in adulthood. GDM has been associated with increased offspring risks of cardiovascular disease, childhood wheeze/asthma (but not allergic sensitization), and with high refractive error, attention deficit hyperactivity and psychiatric disorders from childhood onwards.

Obesity and diabetes in pregnancy: a perfect storm for transgenerational health

“…16 There is increasing evidence associating GDM with the intergenerational transmission of poor health. Infants born to women with high BMI levels and GDM are more likely to be macrosomic at birth and to have overweight or obesity in childhood [17][18][19][20] and this adiposity persists into adolescence 17 increasing risk of diabetes as adults. 20 Maternal obesity and GDM increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, 17,20 while maternal pre-pregnancy obesity increases the risk of developing respiratory diseases in infancy.…”

“…Infants born to women with high BMI levels and GDM are more likely to be macrosomic at birth and to have overweight or obesity in childhood [17][18][19][20] and this adiposity persists into adolescence 17 increasing risk of diabetes as adults. 20 Maternal obesity and GDM increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, 17,20 while maternal pre-pregnancy obesity increases the risk of developing respiratory diseases in infancy. 17 Evidence suggests a link between gestational weight gain and GDM with neuro-behavioural disorders in the offspring.…”

“…20 Maternal obesity and GDM increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, 17,20 while maternal pre-pregnancy obesity increases the risk of developing respiratory diseases in infancy. 17 Evidence suggests a link between gestational weight gain and GDM with neuro-behavioural disorders in the offspring. 17 In 2019, about 16% of children aged two to 15 years were obese in England.…”

“…17 Evidence suggests a link between gestational weight gain and GDM with neuro-behavioural disorders in the offspring. 17 In 2019, about 16% of children aged two to 15 years were obese in England. About 20% (17-23%) of boys and 13% (10-16%) of girls were obese, while the prevalence of overweight was 12% among boys and 15% among girls.…”

Effects of an integrated mobile health lifestyle intervention among overweight and obese women planning for pregnancy in Singapore: protocol for the single-arm healthy early life moments in Singapore (HELMS) study

“…3 4 The short-term and long-term health risks of maternal obesity and depression in mothers and their children are well documented. [5][6][7] Women living with obesity and mental health conditions are at increased risk of infertility, adverse obstetric outcomes and postpartum cardiometabolic complications; and their children are also susceptible to obesity, metabolic disease and psychosocial disturbances in childhood and adolescence. [5][6][7] In Singapore, almost one-third of women are overweight or obese (body mass index (BMI) 25-29 kg/m 2 :17%; BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 :13%) before pregnancy, 8 while one in ten women experience depression before, during and after pregnancy.…”