Read Dr. Widen’s latest feature on the CNS website about “Surprising Patterns in Infant Growth After Gestational Diabetes Exposure”

A study led by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and Harvard Medical School, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reveals that infants exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in utero exhibit unique growth patterns during their first year. While these infants are born with higher body fat levels, they tend to experience slower fat gain over the subsequent months, a phenomenon known as “catch-down growth.” This suggests that early-life growth may adapt more than previously understood, and such infants may not be inherently predisposed to obesity. The study followed 198 infants, half of whom were exposed to GDM, and found that despite higher adiposity at birth, GDM-exposed infants had slower fat mass growth but similar lean body mass gains compared to their non-exposed counterparts. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and supporting healthy growth trajectories in infants exposed to GDM. Read more here.