The contribution of gestational diabetes to obesity and obesity-related problems in children aged 5 to 12

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gestational diabetes gives rise to cardiometabolic problems in children and poses a risk for cardiovascular diseases in older ages. In this study, it was aimed to examine the relationship between gestational diabetes and obesity, glucose intolerance (insulin resistance), dyslipidemia and diabetes in children. METHODS: The study groups included children aged 5-12 years. The study groups included 35 childeren with gestational diabetes in the anamnesis and 40 control without gestational diabetes. Anthropometric measurements of all children were taken. Fasting serum lipids, glucose and insulin levels were determined. The birth weight, duration of breastfeeding, and obstetric history of the children were learned via their anamnesis. RESULTS: The body mass index (BMI) of the children whose mothers with gestational diabetes (GDM) was found to be significantly higher than the control group (p=0.016). While the SDS value of the children in the study group was 0.84, it was -0.06 in the control group. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.016). Among the laboratory values, BUN, total cholesterol, LDL, insulin and HOMA-IR levels were found to be significantly higher in the children of mothers with GDM compared to the control group (p=0.006, p=0.031, p=0.016, p=0.011, p=0.017, respectively). When we classify according to the SDS score, while the normal weight rate was 35% (n=12) in the study group, 70% (n=28) in the control group, and 38% (n=13) in the study group, while the rate of overweight was 13% (n=5) in the control group. These differences were found to be statistically significant (p=0.008). While the HOMA-IR test was within normal limits in 53% (n=18) of the study group and 78% (n=31) of the control group, it was found in 47% (n=16) of the study group and 22% of the control group. (n=9) was found to be higher than normal. These differences were found to be statistically significant (p=0.026). A statistically significant difference was found between the patient and control groups in terms of both delivery types (normal delivery or cesarean section) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Gestational diabetes was found to be at higher risk for obesity, glucose intolerance (insulin resistance), and dyslipidemia in children compared to the