Children Born to Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Not at Greater Risk for Obesity, Says Study
New Zealand: A new cohort study published in The Journal of Pediatrics offers reassuring news for parents and healthcare providers concerned about the long-term health effects of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on children. Contrary to previous assumptions, the research found that in-utero exposure to GDM does not significantly increase the risk of overweight or obesity in children aged three to seven years.
The study, conducted between June 2022 and May 2024, tracked 699 children with a mean age of 5.6 years. Among them, 295 (42.2%) had been exposed to maternal GDM during pregnancy. Oluwatoyin I. Oladimeji, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand, and colleagues compared various health parameters between children exposed to GDM and those not, adjusting for factors such as socioeconomic status and gestational weight gain.
The study led to the following findings:
- Children exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) had lower BMI z-scores.
- These children showed reduced enjoyment of food.
- There was a slightly higher risk of hyperactivity among the GDM-exposed group.
- There was no increased risk of overweight or obesity in children exposed to GDM.
- The adjusted relative risk (aRR) for overweight or obesity in the exposed group was 0.69, indicating no significant difference from unexposed peers.
- There were no notable differences between the two groups in emotional or behavioral problems.
- The risk of neurodevelopmental disorders was similar in both groups.
- Incidence of atopic conditions and diabetes did not differ significantly between the exposed and unexposed children.
- The study's findings challenge earlier research linking GDM exposure to long-term metabolic and neurodevelopmental risks.
- Potential confounding factors such as maternal BMI, gestational weight gain, ethnicity, and access to nutrition and physical activity were carefully adjusted for in the analysis.
“This research is encouraging as it suggests that with appropriate treatment during pregnancy, GDM may not pose a long-term risk for key health concerns like obesity or neurodevelopmental disorders in children,” the researchers wrote.
However, the study did acknowledge certain limitations. It may have lacked sufficient power to detect small differences in some outcomes. Additionally, data for several outcomes were incomplete or collected solely through parental reporting, which, while often reliable, may introduce subjective bias. Importantly, the study did not adjust for dietary intake or physical activity levels in children, both of which can influence weight and health outcomes.
Despite these limitations, the authors concluded that children exposed to treated GDM are not at higher risk of obesity or major health concerns compared to those unexposed. These results could help ease anxieties among expectant mothers diagnosed with GDM and encourage ongoing focus on effective prenatal care.
The study provides strong evidence supporting the importance of timely diagnosis and proper management of GDM during pregnancy, highlighting that appropriate intervention can neutralize long-term health risks for children.
Reference:
Oladimeji, O. I., Ohene-Agyei, P., Liu, Q., Lin, L., Gamble, G., Crowther, C. A., & Harding, J. E. (2025). In Utero Exposure to Gestational Diabetes and Child Health at Age Three to Seven: A Cohort Study. The Journal of Pediatrics, 114639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114639
