Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Follow-Up Study: newborn anthropometrics and childhood glucose metabolism

Aims/hypothesis We aimed to examine associations of newborn anthropometric measures with childhood glucose metabolism with the hypothesis that greater newborn birthweight, adiposity and cord C-peptide are associated with higher childhood glucose levels and lower insulin sensitivity. Methods Data from the international, multi-ethnic, population-based Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study and the HAPO Follow-Up Study were used. The analytic cohort included 4155 children (mean age [SD], 11.4 [1.2] years; 51.0% male). Multiple linear regression was used to examine associations of primary predictors, birthweight, newborn sum of skinfolds (SSF) and cord C-peptide, from HAPO with continuous child glucose outcomes from the HAPO Follow-Up Study. Results In an initial model that included family history of diabetes and maternal BMI during pregnancy, birthweight and SSF demonstrated a significant, inverse association with 30 min and 1 h plasma glucose levels. In the primary model, which included further adjustment for maternal sum of glucose z scores from an oral glucose tolerance test during pregnancy, the associations were strengthened, and birthweight and SSF were inversely associated with fasting, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h plasma glucose levels. Birthweight and SSF were also associated with higher insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index) (beta = 1.388; 95% CI 0.870, 1.906; p < 0.001; beta = 0.792; 95% CI 0.340, 1.244; p < 0.001, for birthweight and SSF higher by 1 SD, respectively) in the primary model, while SSF, but not birthweight, was positively associated with the disposition index, a measure of beta cell compensation for insulin resistance (beta = 0.034; 95% CI 0.012, 0.056; p = 0.002). Cord C-peptide levels were inversely associated with Matsuda index (beta = -0.746; 95% CI -1.188, -0.304; p < 0.001 for cord C-peptide higher by 1 SD) in the primary model. Conclusions/interpretation This study demonstrates that higher birthweight and SSF are associated with greater childhood insulin sensitivity and lower glucose levels following a glucose load, associations that were further strengthened after adjustment for maternal glucose levels during pregnancy.

Automated summary

This study found that higher birthweight and adiposity in newborns are associated with greater childhood insulin sensitivity and lower glucose levels following a glucose load.