Physical health and neurodevelopmental outcome in 7-year-old children whose mothers were at risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionChildren born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at risk of metabolic disturbances such as diabetes mellitus and overweight. However, few have examined the outcome of children whose mothers were at risk of GDM. The aim of the study was to investigate how mothers' risk of developing GDM affects physical health and neurodevelopment of the children at 7 years of age. Material and methodsThis is a secondary analysis of a follow-up study of a multicenter randomized controlled trial including 855 pregnant women, carried out at St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, and Stavanger University Hospital in Norway from 2007 to 2009. Risk factors for developing GDM included age >40 years, diabetes in near family, previous child with birthweight & GE;4500 g and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) & GE;25 kg/m(2). Data on GDM risk factors were available for 750 women, who were divided into a risk group if they had one or more risk factors for developing GDM (n = 238) and a no risk (n = 512) group. At 7 years of age, 72 children born to mothers in the risk group and 194 children born to mothers in the no risk group participated. The children's height, weight and physical activity were reported by their parents. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed by using the Five-to-Fifteen questionnaire, which includes motor skills, executive functions, perception, memory, language, social skills, and emotional/behavioral problems. ResultsMost women had only one risk factor for GDM, and pre-pregnancy overweight was the most prevalent risk factor. Children of mothers in the risk group had higher birthweight and length. At the 7-year follow-up, they had a higher weight and BMI, and the odds ratio of being overweight was 3.0 (95% confidence interval 1.1-8.3). There was no group difference in the children's physical activity and their neurodevelopmental outcomes were similar. ConclusionsWe found higher BMI and increased risk of overweight in children born to mothers with one or more risk factors for developing GDM. A focus on preventing pre-pregnancy overweight should be encouraged.