Fig. 1

Study sample derivation. Superscript lowercase letter a “^a” indicates the following: children born before 1987 were excluded from the study population because data on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnoses were only available from 1987 onwards. Superscript lowercase letter b “^b” indicates the following: exclusions were made stepwise, as illustrated. Superscript lowercase letter c “^c” indicates the following: individuals lacking information from the Medical Birth Register (MBR) were excluded. Superscript lowercase letter d “^d” indicates the following: children with co-morbid congenital malformations (or inborn errors of metabolism) and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDCs) were excluded, as these NDCs may be attributable to the congenital condition. Superscript lowercase letter e “^e” indicates the following: children of mothers diagnosed with GDM were excluded from the PGDM cohort. Superscript lowercase letter f “^f” indicates the following: children of mothers diagnosed with PGDM were excluded from the GDM cohort. Superscript lowercase letter g “^g” indicates the following: children of mothers who were underweight or lacked BMI information were excluded from the adiposity cohort