A new study has already drawn shocking associations between gestational diabetes and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, such as autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability. Studies indicate that children whose mothers had gestational diabetes are at significantly increased risk for developmental complications. Yet these issues can drastically affect their future development and prosperity. Gestational diabetes affected approximately 21% of all births globally in 2021, raising concerns about the long-term impacts on children’s health.
In pregnant women over 45, there’s a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes. Furthermore, people who are obese, overweight, and diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at a higher risk as well. In fact, having a family history of diabetes or having had gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy greatly increases this risk.
The study’s findings shine a light on a shocking statistic. Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes have a 28% increased risk of receiving a diagnosis of any neurodevelopmental disorder. It found a 16% increased risk for learning disorders. It revealed a 17% higher risk for motor conditions and a 20% higher risk for communication conditions. This translates into a very troubling increase in risk. The risk for autism has increased by 25%, ADHD by 30%, and the risk for intellectual disabilities has increased by a shocking 32%.
Jonathan Faro, MD, said it’s crucial to know the long-term impacts of diabetes in pregnancy.
“As we learn more about the long term effects for children born to people with diabetes, I anticipate that we will be able to improve our ability to offer individualized counseling to pregnant people regarding the risks for specific short- and long-term outcomes as well as risk mitigation strategies,” – Jonathan Faro, MD.
Faro further noted that people with diabetes going into pregnancy would see great benefits from working with high-risk pregnancy specialists.
“For people who already have diabetes, it can be helpful to meet with a high-risk pregnancy specialist before achieving pregnancy to talk about ways in which we can optimize health during pregnancy and reduce the risk for adverse outcomes for both the pregnant person and baby,” – Jonathan Faro, MD.
The implications of GD go beyond short-term dangers during pregnancy. To begin with, Faro pointed out that gestation is crucial for healthy fetal brain development. He cautioned that these metabolic disturbances, particularly hyperglycemia, are known to disrupt this vital process.
“Continued research in this area allows us to better characterize how and when these influences occur, and to explore whether certain neurodevelopmental disorders might be preventable or modifiable with improved maternal health,” – Jonathan Faro, MD.
Oakes recognized the growing body of research showing that diabetes in pregnancy harms children’s health. This encompasses sometimes dire risks related to metabolism and cardiovascular disease.
“Continued efforts on rigorously studying how diabetes in pregnancy influences early programming of a child’s neurodevelopment may give us insights into how to reduce these risks,” – Oakes.
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