Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

AIMS: To report on associations between perinatal factors and the subsequent development of diabetes mellitus under the age of 30 years in the offspring. METHODS: Analysis of linked hospital statistical records, comparing perinatal factors relating to the birth of 518 people admitted to hospital for diabetes with the same factors in 292 845 others, in a defined population in southern England from 1963 to 1999. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus was much more common in children of mothers with diabetes than in others (odds ratio 6.42; 95% confidence interval 4.18-9.86). There was no significant association with birthweight or gestational age separately. Diabetes was more common in those in the highest quintile of 'birthweight for gestational age' compared with the lowest four quintiles combined (odds ratio 1.33; 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.64), but there was no consistent gradient of increasing frequency of diabetes across the lowest four quintiles. There were no significant associations between diabetes and mothers' age, parity, social class, or smoking during pregnancy, or between babies' mode of delivery or any other perinatal factors investigated. All results were similar when the analysis was confined to diabetes in people aged < 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: We found a strong association between diabetes in the child-mainly, if not entirely Type 1 diabetes-and maternal diabetes. Diabetes was slightly more common in the heaviest quintile of birthweight for gestational age than in other quintiles. There were no significant associations between diabetes and the other perinatal factors studied.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1464-5491.2007.02147.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Diabet Med

Publication Date

06/2007

Volume

24

Pages

664 - 670

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Age of Onset, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, England, Female, Hospital Records, Humans, Maternal Age, Pregnancy, Pregnancy in Diabetics, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors