Maternal Obesity, Gestational Diabetes, and Fetal Macrosomia: An Incidental or a Mechanistic Relationship?

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a well-established risk factor for fetal macrosomia. A significant number of patients with GDM also suffer from obesity, a factor associated with fetal macrosomia. An important question is whether GDM is independently associated with fetal macrosomia, or whether this relationship is merely the result of maternal obesity acting as a confounder. In this review of the literature, we attempt to further elucidate the relationship between GDM, maternal obesity, and fetal macrosomia.