Exploration of the shared pathophysiological mechanisms of gestational diabetes and large for gestational age offspring

Figure 1 Gestational diabetes mellitus increases the risk of large for gestational age offspring, and both have potential long-term metabolic consequences. The two conditions also have shared maternal risk factors. Altered carbohydrate and lipid metabolism is present in pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and markers of this metabolism e.g., maternal blood glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), have been associated with large for gestational age offspring in GDM pregnancies. Therefore, these biomarkers may provide a link between the two conditions. HbA1c: Glycosylated haemoglobin; HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; GDM: Gestational diabetes mellitus.