A new study from China has found that children born to mothers with diabetes during pregnancy are at a significantly higher risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, autism, and intellectual disabilities. The research, which analyzed data from 202 studies covering over 56 million pregnancies, showed that maternal diabetes increases the risk of these conditions by 28%.
The study revealed that children of diabetic mothers are more likely to develop autism (25% increase), ADHD (30% increase), and intellectual disabilities (32% increase). They are also more prone to communication (20%), movement (17%), and learning difficulties (16%).
Children born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes were at an even higher risk, with a 39% greater chance of developing neurodevelopmental disorders compared to those whose mothers had gestational diabetes, which typically resolves after pregnancy. The risk was also higher in children whose mothers had gestational diabetes for longer periods or required medication.
While the study does not establish a direct cause between maternal diabetes and these disorders, experts stress the importance of further research to understand how high blood sugar during pregnancy might affect fetal brain development.
This study’s findings come at a time when diabetes rates are rising in the U.S. According to the CDC, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among American adults increased from 9.7% in 1999-2000 to 14.3% in 2021-2022. Additionally, gestational diabetes diagnoses have risen by 30% over the past decade.
Experts recommend screening women in their 20s and 30s for diabetes before conception. Dr. Kartik Venkatesh from Ohio State University highlighted that while the findings are concerning, effective treatments are available to manage diabetes during pregnancy and reduce risks to both mothers and their children.
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