Gestational Diabetes and Its Impact on Cognitive Health in Mothers and Children

A comprehensive analysis of global evidence has revealed that experiencing gestational diabetes during pregnancy is associated with cognitive decline in mothers and a heightened risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The systematic review and meta-analysis, which pooled data from 48 observational studies involving over 9 million pregnancies across 20 countries, was presented at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Vienna.

Gestational diabetes affects approximately 14% of pregnancies worldwide and is on the rise, particularly among women with obesity, a family history of diabetes, non-white ethnicity, or older age. While typically resolving after childbirth, gestational diabetes can lead to various complications, including increased risks of high blood pressure, cesarean delivery, and neonatal issues such as premature birth, high birth weight, and neonatal hypoglycemia. Children born from pregnancies affected by gestational diabetes are more likely to develop obesity and diabetes later in life.

Recent evidence, however, underscores potential neurocognitive consequences for both mothers and their offspring. The review found that mothers with a history of gestational diabetes scored significantly lower on cognitive assessments during pregnancy. For offspring, those exposed to gestational diabetes had IQ scores approximately 3.92 points lower and showed a 3.18-point reduction in verbal intelligence compared to unexposed children.

Moreover, children born to mothers with gestational diabetes showed increased risks of developmental delays—45% higher—along with a 36% increased likelihood of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a 56% increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Notably, no significant differences were observed in major brain structures or overall cognitive scores between children exposed and unexposed to gestational diabetes.

While the precise mechanisms remain unclear, some hypotheses suggest that inflammation, cellular stress, reduced oxygen supply, and high insulin levels during pregnancy may influence fetal brain development, subsequently affecting learning abilities as children grow.

The authors emphasize the importance of early screening and effective management of gestational diabetes to mitigate these neurocognitive risks. They also call for further research to establish causality and explore long-term outcomes, advocating for extended follow-up studies through childhood.

Lead researcher Dr. Ling-Jun Li from the School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore highlighted the public health significance of these findings, urging increased vigilance given the growing prevalence of gestational diabetes.

This evidence reinforces the need for improved prenatal care strategies to protect both maternal cognitive health and the neurodevelopmental future of children.

For additional details, see source: Medical Xpress.