Long-term effect of gestational diabetes treatment uncertain

(HealthDay)—The effects of treatment of mild gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on long-term child health are unclear, according to research published online Nov. 20 in Diabetes Care.

Mark B. Landon, M.D., of The Ohio State University in Columbus, and colleagues conducted a follow-up study of 500 of 905 eligible children, aged 5 to 10 years, born to mothers who had participated in a randomized trial of treatment versus no treatment for mild GDM.

The researchers found no significant difference in the frequencies of body mass index ≥95th percentile and 85th percentile for treated versus untreated offspring (20.8 versus 22.9 percent and 32.6 versus 38.6 percent, respectively). No associations were found between treatment of GDM and other cardiometabolic factors such as blood pressure, waist circumference, triglyceride levels, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels were observed in female offspring of women treated for GDM.

"Although treatment for mild GDM has been associated with neonatal benefits, no reduction in childhood obesity or metabolic dysfunction in the offspring of treated women was found," the authors write. "However, only female offspring of women treated for mild GDM had lower fasting glucose."