Watan-A new study has revealed that gestational diabetes is associated with an increased risk of children developing brain and nervous system problems. This study adds to a growing body of evidence linking maternal diabetes to a range of complications affecting child health.
Although the findings only show an association and do not prove that diabetes directly causes these issues, experts stated that the data reinforces the importance of early screening and treatment for diabetes.
The study was conducted by researchers from Central South University in China and was published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology on April 7. The New York Times also reported on it.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects women during pregnancy. It can increase certain health risks for the mother, including heart disease, postpartum depression, and type 2 diabetes.
Previous studies have also shown that gestational diabetes can negatively impact the child’s health, potentially increasing the risk of childhood asthma, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and neurodevelopmental issues.
Researchers analyzed data from 202 previous studies involving more than 56 million mother-child pairs and examined outcomes in children whose mothers had diabetes.
How Does Gestational Diabetes Affect Children?
Even after accounting for other factors like maternal age and body mass index, children born to mothers with diabetes during pregnancy were 28% more likely to be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder compared to children whose mothers did not have diabetes during pregnancy. The risks of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability were slightly higher than the risks of other disorders, such as autism.
Researchers also found a higher likelihood of neurodevelopmental disorders in children of women who had diabetes before pregnancy, compared to those whose diabetes began during pregnancy and often resolves afterward.
The potential reason behind the link between high blood sugar levels and neurodevelopmental issues is still unclear. However, the researchers pointed out that type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition, could increase inflammation in children, which may be linked to a greater risk of autism and ADHD.
Maternal diabetes can also affect gene expression—the process by which specific genes are activated to produce necessary proteins—which may cause changes impacting brain function.
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