Maternal overweight and diabetes often lead to overly large babies

Mothers with obesity or diabetes get five times more oversized offspring
A recent study examined the effects of gestational diabetes. Scientists found that if expectant mothers are overweight or have diabetes, they are more likely to get overly large babies.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge found in their study that overweight mothers or mothers with diabetes have a higher likelihood that their babies are overly large at birth. The physicians published their study in the journal "Diabetes Care".

If expectant mothers are overweight or have diabetes, the likelihood of overgrowth in the newborn increases. (Image: Mediteraneo / fotolia.com)

Study examines more than 4,000 expectant mothers
The scientists analyzed the medical data of more than 4,000 mothers for their study. These had all participated in the so-called Pregnancy Outcome Prediction Study. The research team discovered that infants from obese or diabetic mothers are five times more likely to become overly large. At the same time, the children's risk of developing obesity and diabetes later in life, the doctors add.

Doctors should regularly give pregnant women diabetes screenings
The results of the study showed that expectant mothers routinely have to be tested for pregnancy-related diabetes, the researchers say. Doctors should perform regular diabetes screenings in pregnant women. At the moment, the test will be carried out in the UK only when the mother has reached the 24th week of pregnancy, explain the doctors. Researchers at the University of Cambridge suggest that pregnant women undergo screening at an early stage of pregnancy. This is especially true for women who are overweight. The development of the unborn baby could be affected by complications already before the 20th week. Earlier diabetes tests could give doctors enough time to initiate countermeasures that can prevent overgrowth in babies, the authors explain.

Urgent need for further studies on the effect of early screenings
Although doctors have found an increased risk of childhood obesity when their mothers were diagnosed with gestational diabetes, there have been no clinical studies on this topic that have shown that screening and interventions during pregnancy can successfully treat the problem, explains study leader Gordon Smith. The current study shows that there is an urgent need for further studies that assess the effect of early screening. The results are important for the development of the child in pregnancy and for the long-term health of the offspring, explains Smith. (As)