In Utero Diabetes Exposure Linked to Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Exposure to T2D and other types of diabetes in utero is associated with an increased risk for neuro-developmental disorders (NDDs) in offspring, according to a study published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. Kuan-Ru Chen, PhD, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 877,233 singletons born between 2004 and 2008. Using health insurance claims data, children were followed for diagnoses of NDDs, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental delay, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy/infantile spasms through 2015. The relative risks for NDDs associated with maternal diabetes were estimated. Overall, 0.04%, 1.00%, and 10.28% of children were exposed to T1D, T2D, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in utero, respectively. The largest effect on NDDs was seen for T1D, followed by T2D and GDM. Increased risks for ASD, ADHD, developmental delay, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy/intellectual spasms were linked with T2D.