Gestational Diabetes Risk May Vary Depending on Birth Month

TL;DR

This study finds that the month someone is born in may affect their risk of developing gestational diabetes later in life.

Contribution

The study identifies a novel link between birth month and gestational diabetes mellitus risk.

Findings

Birth in January is associated with a higher risk of gestational diabetes.

Birth in October and June is protective against gestational diabetes.

Cold-month births increase GDM risk, while warm-month births are protective.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Prenatal environmental exposure may influence disease risk later in life. Previous studies suggest that season or month of birth affects susceptibility to various conditions, including type 2 diabetes. We aimed to evaluate whether birth timing is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 8744 pregnant women screened for GDM between August 2011 and March 2020, according to Italian Ministry of Health guidelines. Only women born and raised in Calabria were included. Logistic regression and Cosinor analysis were performed. Results: Birth distribution peaked in January (30.7%) and was lowest in October (22.3%). Being born in January was associated with higher GDM [OR 1.287 (1.090–1.520), p = 0.003], whereas October and June births were protective [OR 0.800 (0.672–0.954), p = 0.013, and OR 0.818 (0.682–0.980), p = 0.030, respectively]. Birth in cold months increased GDM risk [OR 1.196 (1.080–1.325), p < 0.001], while birth in warm months was protective [OR 0.834 (0.758–1.917), p < 0.001]. Cosinor analysis of fasting glucose at OGTT confirmed significant seasonal periodicity (p = 0.0053). Conclusions: Season and month of birth are associated with GDM risk, cold-month births predisposing and warm-month births protecting. These findings suggest that early-life seasonal factors, potentially including maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy, may influence future GDM risk.

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