Researchers have found that diabetes during pregnancy significantly increases the likelihood of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, in children.
A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology explored the neurodevelopmental impacts of maternal diabetes on children.
Pregnancy can trigger diabetes due to hormonal changes, particularly the influence of human placental lactogen (hPL). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 9% of expectant mothers have diabetes, with this percentage on the rise.
Diabetes during pregnancy falls into two categories: pre-existing diabetes and gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy.
While gestational diabetes can often be managed through diet and exercise without significant risks to the mother or baby, pre-existing diabetes poses substantial threats to both.
A comprehensive analysis of 202 previous studies, encompassing over 56 million mothers, revealed that children born to diabetic mothers face a 28% higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
The research team conducted long-term follow-ups on pregnant women with diabetes to assess potential neurodevelopmental issues in their children.
Their findings were striking: children of diabetic mothers had a 25% higher risk of autism, a 30% increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and a 32% higher likelihood of intellectual disabilities. The study also found elevated risks for communication disorders (20%), motor skill issues (17%), and learning disabilities (16%).
Notably, the researchers discovered that pre-existing diabetes carried a 39% higher risk of neurodevelopmental problems compared to gestational diabetes. This underscores the critical importance of managing blood sugar for women planning to conceive.
Based on these findings, the research team concluded that maternal diabetes significantly elevates the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring.
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