Ocular Microvascular Changes in Offspring Born to Mothers With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: The Nanjing Eye Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the microvascular differences in macular retina and choriocapillaris (CC) between offspring born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and unexposed controls. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was based on the Nanjing Eye Study. Children 7 years old completed detailed ocular examinations in 2019. Quantitative parameters of ocular microvasculature in the macular region were assessed using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and information about pregnancy and birth history was obtained from a comprehensive questionnaire. Generalized linear models were performed to assess associations between maternal GDM and ocular OCTA parameters adjusted for confounding factors. Results: A total of 681 children (mean age ± SD, 7.44 ± 0.27 years) had complete eye examination and questionnaire data, among whom 41 (6.0%) were born to mothers with GDM. In generalized linear models, offspring exposed to maternal GDM had significantly increased vessel density (VD) of the deep vascular complex (DVC) in the parafoveal temporal quadrant (difference = 1.238, P = 0.025), larger size of CC flow voids (difference = 0.134, P = 0.040), and larger area of CC flow voids (difference = 0.558, P = 0.018) compared with unexposed offspring. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in VD of superficial vascular complex, foveal avascular zone, macular thickness, or subfoveal choroidal thickness (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: Our data showed that GDM offspring have decreased CC perfusion and increased VD of DVC compared with normal peers. These findings suggest that GDM has a potential effect on ocular microvasculature in offspring. Translational Relevance: This study indicates that greater attention should be paid to eye growth and development in GDM offspring.
Institutions: Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing First Hospital, Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Yancheng First People's Hospital, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Soochow University, Children's Hospital of Suzhou University
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,850
Awards: G2341626091, G6116681427
OpenAlex ID: W4415660630