Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a metabolic condition occurring during pregnancy , may be associated with declines in maternal intellectual function and an increased risk of developmental, behavioral, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in offspring. To investigate this relationship, a study examined the impact of GDM on maternal cognitive outcomes and child neurodevelopmental health, analyzing data from over 9 million pregnancies. The study found that mothers with a history of gestational diabetes scored on average 2.47 points lower on cognitive assessments than those without GDM.
In children, GDM exposure was linked to nearly a four-point reduction in IQ, a 36% higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a 56% increased risk of ASD, and a 45% greater likelihood of developmental delays. These findings suggest an urgent need for early detection and management of…
