Gestational diabetes linked to metabolic syndrome in mothers, babies

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) during pregnancy, a study has found. Likewise, this risk is seen in children exposed to GDM in utero.

The study was a meta-analysis of studies reporting on the occurrence of MetS in pregnant women with GDM, in women with a history of GDM, and in offspring exposed to GDM in utero as compared with healthy controls.

The initial literature search yielded 588 articles. Of these, 51 studies were included in the review and 35 met the eligibility criteria for meta-analysis. Pooled data revealed that women with versus without a history of GDM had an elevated risk of developing MetS (relative risk [RR], 2.36, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.77–3.14; 29 studies; n=13,390; heterogeneity: p<0.00001; I², 93 percent).

A diagnosis of GDM also contributed to a heightened risk of developing MetS during pregnancy (RR, 20.51, 95 percent CI, 5.04–83.55; three studies; n=406; heterogeneity: p=0.96; I², 0 percent).

In a subgroup analysis, MetS was diagnosed as early as <1 year postpartum in women with a history of GDM.

Finally, babies exposed to GDM in utero were at higher risk of developing MetS relative to their nonexposed peers (RR, 2.07, 95 percent CI, 1.26–3.42; three studies; n=4,421; heterogeneity: p=0.33; I², 12 percent).