Quantifying the Impact of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Maternal Weight and Race on Birthweight via Quantile Regression

Abstract

Background: Quantile regression, a robust semi-parametric approach, was used to examine the impact of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) across birthweight quantiles with a focus on maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG). Methods: Using linked birth certificate, inpatient hospital and prenatal claims data we examined live singleton births to non-Hispanic white (NHW, 135,119) and non-Hispanic black (NHB, 76,675) women in South Carolina who delivered 28–44 weeks gestation in 2004–2008. Results: At a maternal BMI of 30 kg/m2 at the 90th quantile of birthweight, exposure to GDM was associated wit