Offspring of mothers with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy: The short term and long-term impact. What is new?
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing mechanistic and observational concepts without systematic review methodology
PubMed 30092235 · doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2018.07.039
What was done
This narrative review summarizes literature regarding the short- and long-term health consequences of maternal hyperglycemia in pregnancy (including pre-existing and gestational diabetes) on offspring, focusing on developmental windows (preconception, pregnancy, early childhood) and intergenerational impacts.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data or effect sizes. It notes that early detection and treatment do not fully prevent macrosomia and associated perinatal complications, and describes emerging evidence linking maternal hyperglycemia to adulthood non-communicable diseases and diabetes in exposed offspring.
Why it matters
It highlights that maternal glycemic control across preconception and gestation is a critical window for mitigating transgenerational transmission of cardiometabolic risk.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks systematic search protocols, risk-of-bias evaluation, and meta-analytic pooling. The abstract provides no sample sizes, specific outcome figures, or effect estimates.
Cited by
- supports Studies show that babies born to mothers with high glucose levels during pregnancy are more likely to develop obesity in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.