Publication date: 18 Aug 2023
What is already known about this subject:
- The rising prevalence of diabetes over the past two decades has led to growing concerns and prompted research into factors that contribute to the onset and progression of diabetes. There is considerable evidence that events during pregnancy may predispose to increased risk of adult diseases including diabetes and obesity. Birthweight has been extensively studied as a surrogate marker of fetal growth. Low birthweight closely associates with adult diabetes and obesity. However, birthweight does not necessarily provide an accurate measure of early fetal growth and development. We have previously shown a disassociation between birthweight and fetal growth in utero. We have also reported significant associations between fetal growth and offspring adult blood pressure, measures of obesity and inflammation.
- The present study extends our recent findings and aims to investigate the relationships between fetal growth and adult risk of diabetes.
What this study adds
- We constructed growth trajectory groups using serial ultrasound-based parameters, namely abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL) and head circumference (HC) from 1333 mother-fetal pairs (Gen1-Gen2). We then examined the relationship between trajectory groups and offspring risk of diabetes at Y20 (n=414), Y22 (n=385) and Y27 (n=431) years.
- The study identified seven AC, five FL and five HC growth trajectory groups. It further showed significant relationships between in utero fetal growth trajectories from early in pregnancy and risk of diabetes and obesity in the offspring during adulthood. In particular, restricted fetal head and abdominal circumference from early pregnancy associate with relative risk of diabetes in the offspring during adulthood.
- These data strengthen our understanding of the importance of the pregnancy environment and its effect on the risk of future diabetes, obesity and related metabolic disorders.