Physical and neuropsychological development of the offspring born to mother with gestational diabetes mellitus at 2 years old / 中国儿童保健杂志

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To investigate the physical and neuropsychological development of the offspring born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at 2 years of age, and to provide evidence to enhance the physical and neuropsychological development of GDM offspring. 【Methods】 A retrospective analysis was conducted on neonates born in the Department of Obstetrics at Qinzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2018 to December 2018 and regularly followed at the outpatient service. The neonates were categorized into two groups based on whether their mothers were diagnosed with GDM during pregnancy: the GDM group (n=243) and the control group (n=362). The general clinical data, follow-up information on physical development and neuropsychological development at 1 year and 2 years of age for all children were collected. Their height, head circumference, body weight, BMI, and Gesell developmental quotients (DQs) at 1 year and 2 years of age for both groups were analyzed. 【Results】 1) There were no significant differences in height, head circumference, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) between the two groups at 1 year and 2 years of age during the follow-up period (P>0.05). 2) At 1 year of age, the GDM group exhibited higher rates of abnormal language development (8.6% vs. 3.3%, χ2=7.854), adaptive behavior(11.4% vs. 5.0%,χ2=8.605), and personal social behavior(8.2% vs. 3.0%, χ2=8.062) compared to the control group (P<0.05), and lower DQs for these Gesell subscales (language development 87.6±7.7 vs. 89.4±9.2, t=2.591; adaptive behavior: 88.4±7.8 vs. 90.5±8.9, t=2.957; personal social behavior: 89.1±7.0 vs. 91.2±7.5, t=3.495, P<0.05). 3) At 2 year of age, the GDM group also showed higher rates of adaptive behavior (8.2% vs. 4.1%, χ2=3.927) and personal social behavior (7.3% vs. 3.0%, χ2=4.093) compared to the control group (P<0.05), and lower DQs for these Gesell subscales (adaptive behavior: 89.5±6.5 vs. 91.9±6.9, t=3.878; personal social behavior: 89.9±7.1 vs. 92.1±6.9, t=3.311, P<0.05). 【Conclusions】 The development of adaptive behavior and personal social behavior in offspring born to mothers with GDM remains delayed. Follow-up for GDM offspring should prioritize achieving a balanced development of adaptive behavior and personal social behavior.