New Finding: Gestational Diabetes Linked to Higher Risk of Autism and ADHD in Children

Is gestational diabetes linked to higher risk of autism and ADHD in children?

Whether diabetes actually causes these problems is unclear. But an analysis of data from 202 previous studies involving more than 56 million mother-child pairs found that children whose mothers had gestational diabetes were 25 percent more likely to have autism, 30 percent more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 32 percent more likely to have intellectual disability.

In addition, children were also 20% more likely to have communication problems, 17% more likely to have motor problems, and 16% more likely to have learning disorders than children whose mothers did not have diabetes during pregnancy.

According to the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, diabetes diagnosed before pregnancy is associated with a 39% higher risk of developing one or more of these neurodevelopmental disorders than gestational diabetes, which begins during pregnancy and typically resolves later.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes affects 9% of fetuses in the US, with the rate of the disease rising. The average rate of gestational diabetes worldwide is between 14% and 17%.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2021 there were 17 million births, or 13%, worldwide in women with gestational diabetes.

Seven of the previous studies compared affected children with siblings. These analyses found no effect from maternal diabetes, suggesting that genetic or shared familial factors may contribute to the increased risk, the authors note.

The findings highlight the importance of medical support for women at risk of diabetes and ongoing monitoring of their children, the researchers said.

However, a study published a year ago by an international team led by a Hong Kong (China) professor found no clear link between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and ADHD in children, contrary to previous studies of the condition that affects one in 20 children.

The link between maternal diabetes and autism in children is well known, said Dr. Magdalena Janecka of New York University's Grossman School of Medicine, who studies the link between in-utero exposure and child development but was not involved in the new study.

A large “meta-analysis” like this allows for analysis of subgroups, such as mothers with pre-existing diabetes versus mothers with gestational diabetes, or children with autism versus children with ADHD or movement disorders, but it cannot prove cause and effect, Janecka said.

“Meta-analyses allow us to compare groups more precisely. At the same time, they do not bring us any closer to understanding the underlying cause or mechanism.”

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/phat-hien-moi-tieu-duong-thai-ky-lien-quan-toi-nguy-co-mac-chung-tu-ky-va-adhd-cao-hon-o-tre-em-310958.html