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Genetically low birth weight may increase type 2 diabetes risk
A genetic susceptibility to low birth weight may increase the risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life, recent study findings show.
In a prospective, case-control study analyzing two large cohorts of U.S. men and women, researchers used genetic association analysis to build on previous observational research that suggested a relationship between low birth weight and type 2 diabetes, though socioeconomic and lifestyle factors previously made it difficult to prove any casual association.
“Our study suggests that prenatal growth retardation, which may be caused by malnutrition or other stresses, may causally affect later life risk of diabetes,” Lu Qi, MD, PhD, FAHA, director of the Tulane University Obesity Research Center, told Endocrine Today. “Interventions such as modification of dietary or lifestyle during pregnancy may improve prenatal growth and reduce later life risk of diabetes.”
Lu Qi
Qi, also the HCA Regents distinguished chair and professor at Tulane University, and colleagues analyzed data from 3,627 adults with type 2 diabetes and 12,974 healthy controls of European ancestry participating in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Researchers calculated a genetic risk score (GRS) based on five low birth weight-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and examined the association between GRS and individual SNPs with type 2 diabetes. Researchers then performed a Mendelian randomization analysis to estimate the casual effect size of low birth weight on type 2 diabetes.
In a meta-analysis of the two studies, researchers found that each 1-point increment in the GRS was associated with a 6% (95% CI, 3-9) higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
Of the five SNPs, CCNL1 rs900400 had the strongest association with lower birth weight (OR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03-1.16), followed by 5q11.2 rs4432842 (OR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02- 1.16).
Researchers also observed an overall Mendelian randomization OR of 2.94 (95% CI, 1.70- 5.16) for type 2 diabetes per 1 SD lower genetically determined birth weight.
“Interestingly, the findings of the Mendelian randomization analysis suggested that the association between genetically determined low birthweight and type 2 diabetes was mainly driven by the SNPs at the CCNL1 locus and on chromosome 5q11.2, which have so far not been related to any known risk factors for diabetes,” the researchers wrote. “Therefore, the findings are less likely to be affected by the pleotropic effects of the genetic variants.” – by Regina Schaffer
For more information:
Lu Qi, MD, PhD, FAHA, can be reached at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street Suite 1724, New Orleans, LA, 70112; email: lqi1@tulane.edu.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.