Is Baby's Size Affected by Pregnant Mother's weight, Glucose and Blood Pressure?

via 4littlefergusons.wordpress.com

"Being overweight or obese in pregnancy causes babies to be born larger, according to new research. The study, led by the universities of Exeter and Bristol, also found that having higher blood glucose (sugar) during pregnancy causes babies to be born larger. Conversely, having higher blood pressure in pregnancy causes babies to be smaller.

It has long been known that women who are overweight or who have diabetes in pregnancy tend to have bigger babies. However, up to now it has been unclear whether the size of the baby has been caused by these characteristics in the mother, or what factors might be important in linking a mother's size to that of her babies.

Now, in an international research collaboration led by the universities of Exeter and Bristol, researchers have shown that excess weight and higher glucose levels in mothers cause their babies to be born heavier, while higher blood pressure causes lower birth weights. 

The team concluded that mothers with higher blood sugar tend to have bigger babies, even within a healthy range. Unlike some previous studies, the research, published in the medical journal JAMA, also found that mothers' blood lipids (levels of fat) that are also related to being overweight did not seem important in determining the baby's size..."

Read more here:

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-03-pregnant-mother-weight-glucose-blood.html