Women who have diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to have babies who are large for their gestational age.
What are the long-term health risks of a mother's diabetes?
Being exposed to diabetes in the uterus seems to set a child up for health problems both right after birth and later in life. A large baby born to a mother with diabetes is more likely to:- Have unstable blood sugars and other problems right after birth
- Become obese in childhood
- Develop type 2 diabetes as a young adult
Type 2 diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease and nerve, eye, and kidney damage. People who get diabetes at a young age are more likely to develop complications early.
How can I help prevent these problems?
Your child has inherited a risk for diabetes, which you can't control. But lifestyle plays a big part in whether a person will get diabetes. The two main risk factors for type 2 diabetes are being overweight and being physically inactive. And you can do something about those things.You can start right away to help your baby by breast-feeding. Breast-fed babies are less likely to become obese children, so they are less likely to develop diabetes early.
As your child grows up, you can help him or her stay at a healthy weight. Your doctor or a registered dietitian can help you learn more about how to feed your child for the best health at each stage of life.
In general, help your child:
- Make healthy food choices. Keep a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods on hand. Limit junk food and high-calorie sodas.
- Be more active. Kids should get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Encourage your child to ride a bike, take a brisk walk, or dance to a favorite CD.
- Get off the couch. Limit screen time (TV, computer, video game, cell phone) to 1 or 2 hours a day.
References
- Mayer-Davis EJ, Rifas-Shiman SL, Zhou L, Hu FB, Colditz GA, Gillman MW. Breast-feeding and risk for childhood obesity: does maternal diabetes or obesity status matter? Diabetes Care. 2006;29:2231-2237.
- Fetita LS, Sobngwi E, Serradas P, Calvo F, Gautier JF. Consequences of fetal exposure to maternal diabetes in offspring. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2006;91(10):3718-3724.
- National Diabetes Education Program. Overview of diabetes in children and adolescents.
- National Diabetes Education Program. It's never too early...to prevent diabetes.
- Zamorski MA, Biggs WS. Management of suspected fetal macrosomia. American Family Physician. 2001;63(2):302-307.
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