How Can Genetic Studies Help Us to Understand Links Between Birth Weight and Type 2 Diabetes?

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

In observational epidemiology, both low and high birth weights are associated with later type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms underlying the associations are poorly understood. We review evidence for the roles of genetic and non-genetic factors linking both sides of the birth weight distribution to risk of type 2 diabetes, focusing on contributions made by the most recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of birth weight.

Recent findings

There are now nine genetic loci robustly implicated in both fetal growth and type 2 diabetes. At many of these, the same alleles are associated both with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and a lower birth weight. This supports the Fetal Insulin Hypothesis and reflects a general pattern for type 2 diabetes susceptibility all

SUBMITTER: Beaumont RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5350261 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature