GDM is a condition in which a mother's blood sugar level increases during pregnancy.
Although this condition often goes away after birth, if not well controlled, gestational diabetes can pose many risks to both mother and fetus.
A comprehensive study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, analyzing data from more than 56 million mother-child couples, shows that gestational diabetes can increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorder (NDD) in children, including autism.
Research results
Analysis shows that children of mothers with gestational diabetes are 28% more likely to develop neurodevelopmental disorders than children of mothers without the disease.
Research shows that children of mothers with gestational diabetes are at a 25% increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased by 30%, and intellectual disability (ID) increased by 32% compared to children with unable mothers.
The importance of controlling gestational diabetes
Dr CS Yajnik, a diabetologist at KEM Hospital, Pune (India), said that these disorders can seriously affect the lives and careers of children. The risk increases if the mother has pre-preeclampsia diabetes or when blood sugar levels are not well controlled during important stages of brain development in the uterus.
The first three months of pregnancy are the most important stage for brain development. Although diabetes testing is usually done at the 24th-28th week, women at high risk (obesity, family history) should test earlier.
Blood sugar can pass through the fetus, affecting the fetus, but the mother's insulin cannot reduce fetal blood sugar, leading to the risk of complications.
The risk of complications is even higher if the mother is older, overweight, or has additional health problems such as high blood pressure, anemia, or malnutrition.
These factors further increase the challenge of pregnancy, especially in premature babies, those with low birth weight, or when the birth process is difficult, such as prolonged labor or the need for support tools.
Therefore, controlling the mother's blood sugar level from the time of conception and throughout pregnancy is very important to minimize risks for children.
