Relationship between maternal fasting glucose levels at 4–12 gestational weeks and offspring growth and development in early infancy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of maternal fasting glucose levels at 4–12 gestational weeks with anthropometry in the offspring from birth to 12 months in Tianjin, China.Design and methodsA total of 57,454 pregnant women underwent a fasting glucose test during the first trimester, and their children had body weight/length measured from birth to 12 months of age.ResultsMaternal fasting glucose concentrations at 4–12 gestational weeks were positively associated with Z scores for birth weight, birth length, birth weight for length, and birth body mass index (BMI). Infants born to mothers with fasting glucose concentrations ≥126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/l) had had the highest mean Z scores for birth weight, birth length, birth weight for length and birth BMI for gestational age, and the lowest mean Z scores for weight and length for age at months 3, 6, 9, and 12, the smallest changes in Z scores for weight for age, weight for length, and BMI for age from birth to month 3, and largest changes in Z scores for weight for age, and BMI for age after 6 months.ConclusionsHigher maternal fasting glucose during pregnancy was associated with larger birth weight and birth length, less weight gain and length gain in the first 3 months of life, and more weight gain in months 6–12 of life.