Are Suboptimal in utero Conditions Associated with Obesity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Caucasian children?

Objective To explore the association between in utero exposure to suboptimal gestational factors (SGFS; gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, maternal smoking during pregnancy), childhood obesity, and cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods Data were obtained from the “QUebec Adiposity and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth” longitudinal study (QUALITY) composed of 630 Caucasian children recruited at age 8–10 (first visit V1; n=619) and followed-up 2 years later (second visit V2; n=557). Multivariate logistic regression models were used. Results In the cohort, maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with higher odds of obesity (OR1=2.00, 95% CI 1.25-3.20, OR2=2.29, 95% CI 1.26-4.16) at both visit and with higher odds of high waist circumference (OR1=1.96, 95% CI 1.24-3.1) at V1. Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy were associated with higher odds of obesity (OR1=2.37, 95% CI 1.17-4.80) at visit 1. Joint exposure to SGFS was associated with higher odds of: high waist circumference (OR1=1.42, 95% CI 1.06-1.91) at V1, obesity (OR2= 1.63, 95% CI 1.153-2.32) at V2 and low levels of HDL cholesterol (OR2=1.45, 95% CI 1.04-2.03) at V2. Analysis stratification by sex revealed that boys were more adversely affected by exposure to combined SGFS while girls were more affected by exposure to maternal smoking during pregnancy. Conclusion In utero exposure to an independent or combined SGFS is associated with adverse adipose and cardiometabolic profiles in children, with sex specificities.