Anthropometric profile of children and adolescents from diabetic pregnancies.

Background: Exposure in utero to maternal diabetes is a risk factor for obesity and type 2 diabetes. It may contribute to the current epidemic outbreak of these diseases.

Aim: to evaluate the impact of the exposure to maternal diabetes on the anthropometric profile of the offspring.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the department "A" of the National Institute of Nutrition. It involved 120 children and adolescents who were from 5 to 19 years old and recruited between October 2008 and November 2009. They were divided into two groups : • A first group of 80 children from diabetic mothers ; • A second control group of 40 children from non-diabetic pregnancies. They have had a clinical examination. Data about diabetic pregnancies were collected from the mothers'medical records.

Results: body mass index and waist circumference of children from both groups were comparable. In both groups, two thirds of children had a normal weight (62.5 % in the first group versus 65% in the control group). Obesity is more common in children exposed to maternal hyperglycemia (31.3% versus 25% in the control group), but the difference is not statistically significant. The majority of obese children (88%) are those from diabetic mothers with type 2 or gestational diabetes.

Conclusion: our results underline the need for early screening for gestational diabetes and an optimal management of diabetic pregnancy to reduce the metabolic risk in the offspring.