Diabetes in pregnant mothers linked to ADHD and autism risk in children
IndependentAPR 8
The consistent association between maternal diabetes and neurodevelopmental disorders across such a large and diverse dataset demands immediate attention to diabetes screening and management in reproductive-age women. The findings emphasize the critical importance of controlling blood sugar levels before and during pregnancy, particularly given the rising rates of diabetes globally.
The relationship between maternal diabetes and neurodevelopmental disorders may be influenced by unmeasured genetic and familial factors rather than diabetes itself. The sibling comparison studies showed no apparent effect, and the research lacks comprehensive data from low-income countries where diabetes is more prevalent, making it premature to draw definitive conclusions about causation.