Weight gain in pregnant women with gestational diabetes

In this study, researchers included 2,723 mother–child pairs in which the mothers had gestational diabetes, to assess the impact of gestational weight gain profiles on the child’s weight from birth up to 40 months of age. Data were adjusted for maternal age, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index, maternal height, and blood glucose levels. Three gestational weight gain profiles were defined: non-excessive weight gain, excessive weight gain, and excessive and early weight gain. Both excessive weight gain and excessive and early weight gain were associated with an increased risk of fetal macrosomia and large-for-gestational-age infants. Only excessive weight gain was associated with childhood overweight and obesity.