Are children born to diabetic mothers larger in size than normal?

Q: I am 26 years old married for two years. I was diabetic when I conceived and we were in touch with our gynaecologist as well as with my diabetologist during the pregnancy. Five months back I was blessed with a baby boy who was born at PGI Chandigarh and is normal otherwise but is larger than normal size and overweight. Doctors at PGI stated that it is normal in diabetics and the boy would look quite normal when he grows up but I fear that when he grows up, even then he will look larger than boys his age. He may develop some sort of an inferiority complex or some thing. Kindly let me know can we do something so that he looks normal; otherwise every thing is normal about him.

A:Physical development of children born to diabetic or gestational diabetic mothers is normal, but oversized infants may be predisposed to childhood obesity that may extend into adult life. The weight gain can be controlled by appropriate diet. Please do not try to put your son a diet! Take the advice on diet and activities of the child from the pediatricians at PGIMER, who are among the best in the country.