Gestational Diabetes Risk May Vary Depending on Birth Month

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: 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). <b>Methods</b>: 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. <b>Results</b>: 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), <i>p</i> = 0.003], whereas October and June births were protective [OR 0.800 (0.672-0.954), <i>p</i> = 0.013, and OR 0.818 (0.682-0.980), <i>p</i> = 0.030, respectively]. Birth in cold months increased GDM risk [OR 1.196 (1.080-1.325), <i>p</i> < 0.001], while birth in warm months was protective [OR 0.834 (0.758-1.917), <i>p</i> < 0.001]. Cosinor analysis of fasting glucose at OGTT confirmed significant seasonal periodicity (<i>p</i> = 0.0053). <b>Conclusions</b>: 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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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-10-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14217756
Primary Topic
Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Gestational Diabetes Risk May Vary Depending on Birth Month

Francesco Brunetti, DANIELA PATRIZIA FOTI, Eusebio Chiefari, Stefania Giuliano et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
article

Gestational Diabetes Risk May Vary Depending on Birth Month

Francesco Brunetti, DANIELA PATRIZIA FOTI, Eusebio Chiefari, Stefania Giuliano, Maria Mirabelli, Antonio Brunetti, Livia Cornelia Chiefari
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: 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). <b>Methods</b>: 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. <b>Results</b>: 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), <i>p</i> = 0.003], whereas October and June births were protective [OR 0.800 (0.672-0.954), <i>p</i> = 0.013, and OR 0.818 (0.682-0.980), <i>p</i> = 0.030, respectively]. Birth in cold months increased GDM risk [OR 1.196 (1.080-1.325), <i>p</i> < 0.001], while birth in warm months was protective [OR 0.834 (0.758-1.917), <i>p</i> < 0.001]. Cosinor analysis of fasting glucose at OGTT confirmed significant seasonal periodicity (<i>p</i> = 0.0053). <b>Conclusions</b>: 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.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(21)
University of Padua (IT), Magna Graecia University (IT)
Ministero della Salute
Openalex Percentile: Top 60%
Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
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Gestational Diabetes Risk May Vary Depending on Birth Month — Francesco Brunetti, DANIELA PATRIZIA FOTI, et al. · Journal of Clinical Medicine (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS