Genetic factors influence the risk of obesity in children exposed to gestational diabetes

Genetic factors influence the risk of obesity in children exposed to gestational diabetes

Children exposed to gestational diabetes in utero with a specific variation in a common gene have a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

The study was published today in the journalDiabetes care.

Scientists have long known that exposure to gestational diabetes is a strong predictor of both obesity and childhood diabetes.

"But it's not infallible," said the study's lead author, Kylie Harrall, PhD, who conducted the research at Cu Anschutz but is now an associate research professor at the University of Florida in Gainesville. "Some children in utero exposed to gestational diabetes never develop obesity."

To understand why, researchers focused on a receptor gene known as GLP-1R, the same gene activated by the weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. It regulates insulin and appetite.

Previous studies have shown that polymorphisms or common variations in the gene throughout childhood, insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion were associated with body mass index (BMI).

Researchers examined 464 children from the Epoch study group, a collection of parents and their offspring monitored by researchers to determine the effects of gestational diabetes on children's metabolic health.

“Our hypothesis was that there were mutations in this receptor that predisposed children to higher BMI,” said study senior author Dana Dabelea, MD, associate dean of research at the Colorado School of Public Health and director of lifespan epidemiology for the Obesity & Diabetes Center (Lead).

Dabelea and Harrall found that children with gestational diabetes who had a polymorphism in the GLP-1R gene gained weight more quickly and had above-average BMI compared to other children.

This is important because it highlights a common effect of a genetic mutation and environmental exposure. It also shows how children can become overweight. In the future, clinicians may be able to test children exposed to gestational diabetes for these genetic polymorphisms. They could then be good candidates for pharmacological interventions. “

Dana Dabelea, MD, PhD, Associate Dean of Research, Colorado School of Public Health

Harrall agreed, saying the study results show that GLP-1R variations help explain why some children exposed to gestational diabetes are more susceptible to higher BMI than others.

“This knowledge could help doctors identify children who are at highest risk for rapid BMI growth, allowing for earlier intervention and potentially reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in childhood,” Harrall said.

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