Developmental programming of type 2 diabetes-molecular mechanisms and clinical implications

Low birthweight (LBW) is an established risk factor of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and recent data from our group suggest that LBW in T2D in addition is associated with a more severe disease course including earlier diagnosis compared with patients with normal or high birthweight. These findings are paradigm shifting, as they extend the role of LBW from being “only” a T2D risk factor, to a factor of high importance for the clinical presentation, care as well as treatment of the individual T2D patient. We now in this Crafoord funded project aim to trace original birthweight information of > 15.000 T2D patients from the ANDIS cohort, and via linkage to registries determine the extent to which LBW in T2D is associated with a more severe disease course including more complications and premature death.