Table 4: Newborn characteristics by maternal gestational diabetes status
CharacteristicMean ± SE*†p value
Gestational diabetes*
n = 359
No gestational diabetes
n = 630
Male, no. (%)188 (52.4)304 (48.2)
Gestational age, wk38.8 ± 1.639.3 ± 1.4
Size for gestational age,‡ no. (%)
    Large48 (13.4)55 (8.7)0.02
    Average277 (77.2)493 (78.2)
    Small24 (6.7)64 (10.2)
    Unknown10 (2.8)18 (2.8)
Birth weight, g3267 ± 233181 ± 170.005
Length, cm51.0 ± 0.151.1 ± 0.10.7
Waist circumference, cm30.8 ± 0.130.3 ± 0.10.009
Head circumference, cm34.1 ± 0.134.0 ± 0.10.4
Sum of skinfold measurements, mm11.7 ± 0.111.2 ± 0.10.007
Triceps skinfold thickness, mm6.1 ± 0.15.9 ± 0.10.05
Subscapular skinfold thickness, mm5.5 ± 0.15.2 ± 0.10.002
Ponderal index§24.8 ± 0.224.0 ± 0.10.002
Placental weight, g503.2 ± 8.1474.9 ± 5.80.007
Cord blood glucose level, mmol/L4.1 ± 0.14.1 ± 0.00.9
Cord blood insulin (log) level, pmol/L76.3 ± 3.861.6 ± 2.80.002
Glucose/insulin ratio, mmol/pmol¶0.092 ± 0.0090.129 ± 0.0060.001

Note: SE = standard error.

*Except where noted otherwise.

†Adjusted for gestational age, sex and insulin use by mother during pregnancy.

‡Determined from gestational age and sex-specific percentiles from study data.

§Birth weight (kg)/birth length (m3).

¶Non log insulin level used.