Autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, developmental delays, intellectual impairment, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy are just some of the childhood disorders that may be associated with maternal diabetes, according to a study from Taiwan.

Is there an increased risk of neurodevelopmental conditions in children when the mother has diabetes during pregnancy?

A new study published in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology found a link between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and a variety of neurodevelopmental conditions in children, including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental delay, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy.

The retrospective analysis included 877,233 infants born in Taiwan between 2004 and 2008 to moms with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes had the greatest impact on neurodevelopmental problems, followed by type 2 diabetes and finally gestational diabetes.

The risk of developmental delay, intellectual disability, and epilepsy in children was found to be higher in those born to mothers with type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes was linked to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, developmental delay, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. 

Children of mothers with gestational diabetes had a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and developmental delay.

“Mechanistic studies are needed to explore how maternal conditions, such as diabetes, may shape brain development in the womb,” writes corresponding author Pao-Lin Kuo.

Source: 10.1111/dmcn.15488

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