From "thrifty genotype" to "hefty fetal phenotype": the relationship between high birthweight and diabetes in Saskatchewan Registered Indians.
BACKGROUND: Intrauterine factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: In a 1:1 matched pairs case-control study, high and low birthweight (HBW, LBW) rates in Saskatchewan Registered Indian (RI) diabetic cases were compared with corresponding rates in RI without diabetes, and non-RI people with and without diabetes. RESULTS: Birthweights were available for 73% of the 1,366 cases and 3 x 1,366 controls. A greater proportion of RI diabetics were born with HBW (> 4000 grams) compared to RI non-diabetics (16.2% vs 10.7%; p < 0.01). There was a significant association between HBW (but not LBW [< 2500 grams]) and diabetes for RI people (OR 1.63 [95% CI 1.20, 2.24]), which was stronger for RI females and strengthened progressively from mid to late 20th century. INTERPRETATION: Certain causes of HBW may predispose to subsequent development of T2DM in Canadian Aboriginal people ("hefty fetal phenotype" ["hefty fetal type"] hypothesis). Programs that optimize healthy pregnancies could reduce T2DM incidence in future generations.