Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT2525

Introduction: Gestational diabetes (GD) is associated with metabolic complications and an increased risk of childhood obesity. This study aimed to analyze weight evolution and factors associated with overweight and obesity in children of mothers with GD, as well as to identify maternal factors that influence weight gain during the early years of life.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 186 mothers diagnosed with GD and their offspring, born between January 2018 and December 2019 at our center. Sociodemographic and clinical data of the mothers were collected, including pre-pregnancy body mass index, weight gain during pregnancy, type of GD treatment, and data on the children, such as anthropometric measurements up to the age of 6, breastfeeding practices, and neonatal health parameters. Weight/length z-scores and BMI z-scores were calculated for the children at different age ranges. Associations between maternal and child variables and the children’s weight evolution up to 6 years were tested.

Results: The mean (SD) age of the mothers was 34.7 (5.7) years, with an average (SD) pre-pregnancy BMI of 24.4 (5.2) kg/m². A total of 44.6% of the women required pharmacological treatment for glycemic control. Births were 62.4% vaginal deliveries and 37.6% cesarean sections. During the follow-up of the children, 5.0% were found to be overweight, and 4.4% were obese between the ages of 4 and 6. In the adjusted model, the presence of a family history of diabetes and earlier introduction of complementary feeding were associated with a higher BMI z-score at ages 4-6 years (β=0.442, 95% CI: 0.087, 0.796; β=-0.249, 95% CI: - 0.448, -0.051, respectively).

Conclusion: This study suggests that having family history of diabetes is associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity in children of mothers with GD. The introduction of complementary feeding closer to 6 months appears to be associated with a lower risk of obesity. These findings reinforce the importance of early preventive strategies and continuous monitoring of the weight evolution in these children.