Is HbA1c associated with birth weight? A multivariable analysis of Pakistani pregnant women.

Abstract

AIM:

Globally, one in seven infants is born with low birth weight and 3%-7% of infants are born with high birth weight, with the greatest burden noted in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigated the association between maternal prenatal glucose regulation and birth weight and the moderating effect of fetal sex among Pakistani women.

METHODS:

Secondary data from a prospective longitudinal study of healthy pregnant women from Pakistan (N = 189) was used. Participants provided a blood sample (12-19 weeks' gestational age) for the assessment of HbA1c (%). Birth weight (g) was collected following delivery.

RESULTS:

Higher maternal HbA1c was associated with higher birth weight (b = 181.81, t[189] = 2.15, p = 0.03), which was moderated by fetal sex (b = -326.27, t[189] = -2.47, p = 0.02), after adjusting for gestational age at birth, ethnicity, and pregnancy weight. Among women carrying a male fetus, every 1% increase in HbA1c predicted a 182 g increase in birth weight (b = 181.81, t[189] = 2.15, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS:

Results extend research from high-income countries and indicate that fetal sex may have implications for glucose regulation in early to mid-pregnancy. Future research should examine sociocultural factors, which could elucidate potential mediating factors in the relation between HbA1c and birth weight in healthy pregnancies.

• Authors: Olivia Silke, Ilona S Yim, Kiran Shaikh, Sharifa Lalani, Farooq Ghani, Sikolia Wanyonyi, Pauline Samia, Mohamoud Merali, Geoffrey Omuse, Christine Okoko, Ntonghanwah Forcheh, Shahirose S Premji, Maternal-infant Global Health Team (MiGHT) Collaborators in Research
• Journal: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research (J Obstet Gynaecol Res) Vol. 49 Issue 8 Pg. 2048-2055 (Aug 2023) ISSN: 1447-0756 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 37343941 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2023 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Chemical References

• Glycated Hemoglobin
• Glucose

Topics

• Infant, Newborn
• Pregnancy
• Female
• Male
• Humans
• Birth Weight
• Glycated Hemoglobin
• Pregnant Women
• Pakistan
• Longitudinal Studies
• Prospective Studies
• Parturition
• Glucose